Author: Karabekian Emil

AN ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER IN THE MAKING JUST OUTSIDE YEREVAN
Edik Baghdasaryan

t-2/
2010/05/10 | 15:00

Feature Stories ecology

The Erebuni Toxic Waste Dump Has Been Neglected for Years

"We must immediately issue a warning – to stop the rains from mixing
with the toxic wastes. They are flowing down." This was the alarm made
by a top government official who wishes to remain anonymous. He says
he’ll lose his job otherwise. I understand his plight. The next day
we leave for the toxic dump "discovered" in the Erebuni reserve. You
can’t travel to the site by a regular vehicle, so we tried renting
a Vilis jeep.

We don’t negotiate with Ishkhan for long in the village of Mushakan.

He wanted 20,000 AMD for use of the Vilis. After a few words, he
came down in price to 15,000. A Yezdi, Ishkhan told us, that while
we make $50 for a few photos and that he wanted a piece of it. The
rain was wafting down gently and we had no desire to try and convince
him otherwise.

Aching joints and dead chickens

The residents of Mushakan had heard about the toxic dump; but only had
heard. Ishkhan lives with his two brothers in the one house. While he
went to Vardashen to fill the vehicle with gas, we talked to the three
women of the house. We talked about the dangers posed by the dump. One
of the wives said that all her chickens had mysteriously dropped dead
and that the dump might be the cause. I replied it was unlikely. She
added that her neighbors’ chickens had met a similar fate.

Twenty-three year-old Armen, hearing our conversation, said that he
had joint pain and that he was getting short of breath. "Can it be
from the dump?’ he asked. I answered that it was possible. He said
that he spends all day walking around the site. To that, an elderly
but spry woman said, "Dear boy, I have tended to animals for fifteen
years below that dump. Do I look sick to you?" Many local residents
take their animals near the site.

The jeep approaches the top of the mountain. Here, the mud resembles
the mud in Artsakh at a place called "Mud Valley". Your feet get
stuck in the mire and movement s next to impossible. The entire area
is muddy. There are plastic bags everywhere you look. Some are ripped
and the toxic wastes are oozing out.

The toxic wastes, have taken on various shades. Mixing with the rain,
small rivulets of poison are flowing around the site. Photographer
Hakob Poghosyan and environmentalist Mariam Sukhudyan are taking
photographs and shooting video of the site.

Villagers graze livestock at the toxic site

The concrete gutters built around the dump to keep the rain water
from entering have either cracked or filled with soil in places. The
toxic wastes, mixed with the rain water, are now flowing out towards
the fields and grazing lands used by the villagers. The meat and milk
from the grazing cows is being sold to the public in stores.

Back in Yerevan, government officials are trying to depict the calamity
as a run-of-the-mill incident. They say they are devising projects
and drafting studies. The fact is that for two months straight, the
Nature Protection and Emergency Situations Ministries, never warned
the public, even they knew what was going on. Till today, rain water
freely flows over the dump, taking the wastes with them.

There are about 577 tons of toxic wastes buried at the site today. In
one of the documents in my possession, it notes what amounts of waste
from Armenia and regionally have been transported here.

In 1972 the Soviet government outlawed the use of certain agricultural
insecticides, and 500 metric tons of the prohibited substances were
collected from villages and warehouses throughout Armenia. Among
these were persistent organic pollutants that don’t decompose for
30-40 years, and when they do, give rise to metabolites with the same
toxic characteristics. In the 1970s, burial was considered the safest
and most effective method of destroying insecticides.

According to Lilik Simonyan, a representative of the "Armenian Women
for Health and a Healthy Environment", NGO, 60% of the wastes are
persistent organic chlorine solutions. In the human organism, any
kind of persistent organic pollutants contribute to the development of
malignant tumors. This is an emergency not only for those living in the
neighborhood, since pollutants affect people through the air as well.

Toxic dump was unregulated for years

In the 1970’s, the most effective and safe way to deal with the
toxic wastes was to bury them. That’s why the site is also called
the "cemetery". In 1982, the Soviet Armenian government decided to
construct a cement "coffin" above the village of Bardzrashen in the
Artashat region (today this site is located in the Erebuni community
of Yerevan). The dump was lined with clay to prevent the wastes from
leaching into the soil. The site, at the time, had a security office
and was fenced off.

During those years, periodic inspections took place at the site. After
independence till 2004, no monitoring at all was carried out. The
guards were gone and the fence had collapsed. Later on, the outlying
fields were allocated for farming purposes.

Houses were built here and people moved in. Many local residents have
no clue that they are living next to a toxic waste dump. Many graze
livestock on the site.

Residents still today do not know about the dump. On the day of our
visit, a shepherd was grazing his animals nearby. He was clueless
about the dump

For the past ten years, the "Armenian Women for Health" NG as
been working on the issue. In 2003, the organization carried out
a study of the toxic-waste dump, testing the burial layer of soil
within a 50-meter radius. They discovered that the concentration of
insecticides in the soil was above the permissible limit. According
to their investigations, the dump has shifted some 12.5 meters
downwards due to landslides. The site is situated in an area of active
landslide. According to ecologists and scientists, it may collapse
at any moment, causing an ecological disaster.

Yelena Manvelyan, the NGO’s President, has been raising the alarm over
the past ten years to all appropriate government agencies. In 2004,
the government allocated funds to enclose the site with a fence and
to construct trenches to disperse the rain run-off.

Has Armenia fulfilled its international obligations?

In 2001 the Republic of Armenia signed the Stockholm Convention on
Persistent Organic Pollutants, a global treaty to "protect human
health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs)".

According to Article 6 of the Convention, the state-parties should take
measures to identify stockpiles consisting of or containing chemicals
listed in the annexes to the Convention, manage the stockpiles in a
safe, efficient and environmentally sound manner, and eliminate or
reduce the release of POPs into the environment.

In implementing the Convention, governments of the developed countries
agreed to provide timely and appropriate technical assistance and to
promote the transfer of technology, as well as to provide, within
their capabilities, financial support and incentives to developing
countries and to countries with economies in transition.

Anahit Alexanyan, the head of the Department on Management of Wastes
and Toxic Agents of the Ministry of Nature Protection is responsible
for the fulfillment of the Convention’s requirements. It is worth
mentioning that the government of Armenia has received a $500,000
grant for drafting this national program. Anahit Alexanyan herself
is managing the grant.

It is her department that drafted the national fulfillment program.

Accordingly, lists should have been compiled regarding the types
and amounts of toxic chemicals in Armenia. No such list has yet been
compiled. Her department hasn’t even conducted a study of the toxic
dump in question.

Who knows what the funds have been used for? It’s hard to say.

At one time the Nubarashen toxic dump had been covered with two meters
of soil. On the day we visited, the site lay bare.

How did this happen and under whose orders? Bulldozers have carried out
work here. This can be regarded as a diversion. Why has the National
Security Service failed to get involved till today?

International expert John Vigen was in Armenia last month and termed
the toxic dump an "ecological disaster".

On May 6, the Armenian government decided to allocate 31,650,000 AMD
for immediate safeguard measures at the site. All government agencies
were anxiously awaiting these funds in order that they could carry
out their responsibilities.

Ministry slow in reacting

Readers should be aware that the Ministry of Nature Protection knew
about the situation at the toxic dump back in March but did nothing.

At the very least, local residents should have been warned and signs
warding off unsuspecting villagers should have been posted. Those
signs were only posted on May 6.

The toxic wastes at the heretofore unregulated dump can be destroyed
properly, but the job is very costly. Such treatment plants exist in
Russia, Finland and Italy.

But there is a catch. Many countries prohibit the transportation of
such waste materials through their territory. This is an issue that
must be ironed out via negotiations, a lengthy process.

The alternative solution would be to build such a facility here,
another costly venture. Either way, Armenia must seek the assistance
of the outside world.

Until these long-term issues are resolved, Armenia needs to enact
some immediate basic steps at the dump. The site must be closed off,
trenches designed to carry-off rain water must be repaired and guards
need to be posted. All this was discussed at the May 7 meeting at the
Ministry of Emergency Situations chaired by Minister Armen Yeritsyan.

We can only hope that the department heads who attended will have the
foresight, fully conscious of the extent of the danger, to implement
immediate measures to avert a full-blown ecological disaster.

THE RA TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS MINISTER DUE TO TBILISI

Aysor
May 10 2010
Armenia

On May 11 – 12 in the capital city of Georgia, Tbilisi will take
place a meeting of coordination of donors titled "Transportation
prospective in South Caucasus", on which will participate also the
Armenian delegation headed by Manuk Vardanyan, the Armenian Minister
of Transport and Communications.

On the meeting will be present donor organizations involved in the
transportation sphere like the World Bank, the European reconstruction
and development bank, the Asian Development bank, Millennium challenges
corporation, European Union, etc.

During the meeting the participants will have the opportunity to
present their national programs, to motivate the needs of investments
and suggest new projects and ideas for getting the support of the
donors, informed Susanna Tonoyan, the press secretary of the RA
Transport and Communications Minister, to Aysor.am.

Aysor, Armenia
May 8 2010

Procession dedicated to the 65th anniversary of Great Patriotic

The `HAYASA’ youth NGO together with the `Russian ` Armenian youth
initiation center’ organized a procession dedicated to the 65th
anniversary of the victory of the Great Patriotic War.

The procession will start on May 8 at 20:30 from the statue of
Alexander Tamanyan. Around 300 ` 500 people will walk with candles and
flowers in there hands to the `Park of Victory.’

The staff of the embassy of Russian Federation to Armenia, the center
of Russian culture and science, all the 11 national communities,
schoolchildren and other NGOs will partake in the ceremony.

As the organizers inform the procession is licensed by the
Municipality of Yerevan.

"ARMENIANS: ANCIENT CHRISTIANS IN A YOUNG COUNTRY" EXHIBITION IN NETHERLANDS

Lragir.am
07/05/10

On May 6, in the library of Leyden University, exhibition entitled
"Armenians: Ancient Christians in a young country" opened dedicated to
the 350 anniversary of the first Armenian printed book in Amsterdam
in 1660. Students, representatives of the Armenian community of
Netherlands participated in the opening ceremony.

The exhibition is organized by a professor at Leyden University,
Weitenberg and Arnoud Vrolijk, Curator Oriental Collections at Leiden
University.

The exhibition illustrates Armenian manuscripts and printed books
among which a manuscript of 11th century-with modern translation.

PRESS RELEASE

The Genocide Education Project
51 Commonwealth Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 264-4203
[email protected]
www.GenocideEd ucation.com

Contact: Raffi Momjian, [email protected]

RICHARD KLOIAN LAID TO REST
Established Armenian Genocide Resource Center
_07_2010.htm

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, May 5, 2010 – Richard Kloian, who established and
directed the Armenian Genocide Resource Center, was laid to rest today
in the presence of family and friends, at Rolling Hills Memorial Park in
El Sobrante, California.

Kloian, 73, passed away on May 1st after a massive stroke. Funeral
services were conducted by Reverend Father Hovel Ohanyan of Oakland’s
St. Vartan church. Roxanne Makasdjian, Chairperson of the Bay Area
Armenian National Committee, spoke about Kloian’s major contribution to
the work of organizations pursuing recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
to the field of genocide studies and to the general public understanding
of the Armenian Genocide.

Raffi Momjian, Director of The Genocide Education Project, for which
Kloian acted as advisor, read a few of the many comments sent by
scholars expressing their remembrances about Richard. Israel Charny,
Executive Director of the Institute on the Holocaust and Genocide in
Jerusalem, wrote, "I consider him a GIANT on behalf of Armenian Genocide
recognition and memory. His devotion to his work in enabling education
and memory about the Armenian Genocide was immense."

Dennis Papazian, Professor Emeritus (Retired) and founding director of
the Armenian Research Center at the University of Michigan-Dearborn
wrote, "He was a man dedicated to the truth and willing to gather the
evidence for all to see. He was a true gentleman, and hated no one.
His only desire was to educate and enlighten. He believed that
enlightened people would do the right thing. He had a positive outlook.
He is irreplaceable. May he rest in peace and may his family be
comforted."

For a full obituary about Richard Kloian, see:
ard-kloian-73-pioneering-armenian-genocide-educato r-passes-away

Below is a transcript of the funeral service remarks by Roxanne Makasdjian.

It’s hard for me to accept that I’m standing here this morning, to say
goodbye to Richard. Richard was someone who you never wanted to believe
would not be here one day. He was so much younger than his years, and he
had such endless energy. Although on many occasions I wondered how his
work would be carried on after him, I didn’t really think this time
would come.

I met Richard almost immediately after I began volunteering for the
Armenian National Committee when I moved here in the 1980’s. He had just
published his book, "The Armenian Genocide: News Accounts from the
American Press, 1915-1922." This was truly a landmark publication,
because the collection of these New York Times and other articles was
not only an useful reference book for researchers, but for groups like
the ANC, it was then and still is the perfect public information tool to
make the case for recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Richard had done
it all by himself, spending endless hours at UC Berkeley, going through
pages and pages of newspaper microfilm.

When we initiated a committee to help teachers include the Armenian
Genocide in their coursework, all roads led to Richard Kloian, who had
been a key resource for teachers for years. Getting to know him, I soon
realized that he had an unstoppable passion and talent for bringing
documentation about the Armenian Genocide to the broad public. I began
getting a stream of e-mails from him, with the most interesting
articles, reports, first-hand accounts. Sometimes, it came so fast and
furiously, I had to stick them in a folder I called "stuff from
Richard," until I could make time to film them all properly.

Richard once told me how this passion of his first bloomed. It was when
his father died in 1976. Richard discovered his father’s diary, which
told a harrowing tale of genocide survival. It was then that Richard’s
life work turned irreversibly to the Armenian Genocide.

His new interest filled his evenings after work. Soon, his mission
became a full-time volunteer effort, bringing to light this `forgotten
history.’

By 1997, he had established the Armenian Genocide Resource Center.
Through the AGRC, Richard has single-handedly collected a vast amount of
documentation on the Armenian Genocide, helped get long-lost memoirs and
documents published, and has developed many useful materials for helping
locate and acquire historical and current works. He also found films
about the Armenian Genocide from around the world and got permission to
reproduce them for the general public. As many of you know, one of his
most recent labors of love was restoring and editing the only surviving
segment of the 1919 silent Hollywood film, Ravished Armenia.

Richard’s perseverance and drive were incomparable. His work was an
everyday act of courage because each day, by himself, and without any
compensation, he fought the powerful forces of "forgetting." Not only
did his work fight historical revisionism, it served to enlighten
educators and politicians alike, who encounter Turkey’s denial of the
Armenian Genocide regularly. His work has helped broaden the discussion
of genocide studies, because so many non-Armenians sought out his
materials and his vast knowledge of historical resources.

But to characterize Richard only in terms of his contributions to
Armenian Genocide education would not give the true picture. Born and
raised in Detroit, Michigan, one of 5 brothers, Richard, whose Armenian
name was Diran, was an extraordinary Renaissance man. He had an avid
interest in science, in music, in photography. He was an active member
of the Astronomical Society in Detroit, where he organized public events
and where he built his first deep space telescope with Dr. Donaldson
Craig of Wayne State University. He studied French and comparative
literature, and as an accomplished photographer, he was among the first
in Detroit to capture on film the early phases of growth that
revolutionized the Detroit skyline. And as a professional musician, he
played in Detroit’s Latin and jazz orchestras. I’m told it was while
playing music that he met his wife of 42 years, Antonia, and we all owe
such a debt of gratitude that Antonia gave Richard the space to pursue
his passion and give so much to the world.

The list of his accomplishments is so impressive, yet what I keep
thinking about is Richard’s sweet and gentle demeanor, his genuine
kindness, and his pleasing smile. Thank you, Richard, for brightening
and enriching our lives, for teaching us, for showing us the way.

####

The Genocide Education Project is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3)
organization that assists educators in teaching about human rights and
genocide, particularly the Armenian Genocide, by developing and
distributing instructional materials, providing access to teaching
resources and organizing educational workshops.

[PICTURE CAPTION] chard Diran Kloian (1937-2010)

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

May 7, 2010

___________________

WOMEN’S GUILD ASSEMBLY ADDRESSES CHARITABLE PROJECTS AND OUTREACH TO NEW
MEMBERS

The 24th annual Women’s Guild Assembly, hosted by the St. James Armenian
Church of Evanston, Ill., was held from April 30 to May 1 at the Chicago
Marriott O’Hare Hotel. Running concurrently with the 108th Diocesan
Assembly, the Women’s Guild meeting brought together 39 delegates from
throughout the Diocese, to review activities of the past year, and discuss a
"strategic plan" for the future.

Delegates summarized what their local guilds had accomplished during the
past year in the fields of worship, witness, service, education, fellowship,
and stewardship.

In an effort to find new ways to attract a younger generation of Armenian
women to the guild, two guest speakers gave presentations.

Talin Hitik, vice chair of the ACYOA Central Council, addressed ways to
increase interest in the Women’s Guild. She said the best way to reach out
to younger potential members is by expanding Women’s Guild’s message, and
she recommended getting involved with the ACYOA juniors and senior chapters
so the guild would gain exposure. Ms. Hitik said the Women’s Guild has to
"create a culture where they want to be a part of you."

Susan Horowitz, an executive who coaches about leadership, spoke on the
topic of "developing the leadership quality of enrolling others." Her
discussion revolved around the definition of a leader and the skills
necessary for leadership. Other topics she touched on included shared
leadership, stewardship, developing relationships, and mobilizing
commitment.

The May 1 session opened with inspiring remarks from Deacon Levon
Kirakosyan, deacon-in-charge of the host parish. He called the guild one of
the most important organizations in a parish: the "driving force of the
parishes and churches."

"We are nothing without them, and we pray to God to strengthen our churches
through these women," he said.

In keeping with the Vocations theme of the Diocesan Assembly, and with
efforts to strengthen St. Nersess Seminary, Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian spoke
about assisting seminarians financially while in seminary. "What you get
back in your parishes will pay back what you’ve invested, and much more,"
said Fr. Doudoukjian.

Financial and committee reports were reviewed, and several new proposals
were voted on. The delegates heard reports on the Children of Armenia
Sponsorship Program (CASP), the School Bag Project, the Fuller House Fund,
and the Women’s Guild Central Council fundraiser.

Women’s Guild Central Council election results included two incumbents, Zita
Butler (from Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church, Providence, R.I.) and Kathy
Mkjian (St. John Church, Southfield, Mich.). Newly elected members were
Meline Grigorian (St. Mesrob Church, Racine, Wisc.) and Nadya Chubukian
(alternate, St. Mary Church, Washington, D.C.).

"Women of Wonder" luncheon

A new event, the "Women of Wonder" luncheon, took place on Saturday
afternoon. The award-created to recognize guild members who have made
significant contributions to the guild and the Armenian Church for an
extended period of time-was given to Yn. Violet Kasparian, who was
recognized for her dedication to the organization and for her 18 years as
coordinator of the guild’s School Bag Project, which has sent over 7,000
bags to students in Armenia since its inception in 1992.

Fr. Arnak Kasparian related his memories of meeting his wife and the life
they have shared together. Their granddaughter Maria Kasparian also spoke
about Yn. Violet and the example she set for the entire Kasparian family.
Rita Oscherichian, who chairs the Women’s Guild at St. Leon Church (Fair
Lawn, N.J.), spoke about the pleasure of working with Yn. Violet and
receiving her wisdom.

Through the luncheon, enough money was raised to sponsor five orphans
through the Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program for several years.
Archbishop Barsamian presented Yn. Violet with a framed certificate as a
token of appreciation.

Delegates who attended the 2010 Women’s Guild Assembly received a wealth of
information through their round-table discussions and guest speakers, said
Leslie Movsesian, who chairs the Women’s Guild Central Council.

"We gave them food for thought regarding the charities we want to support in
the future as well as addressing the issue of enrolling younger women within
the church into the Women’s Guild," said Ms. Movsesian, who added that the
gathering gave members an opportunity to network with one another.

"We were all engaged in the meetings and conversations, and challenged
delegates to think outside the box and to see things on a broader level,"
she said.

–5/6/10

* * *

PHOTO CAPTIONS

WG1

The 24th annual Women’s Guild Assembly brought together 39 delegates from
local parish guilds.

WG2

In their annual meeting, Women’s Guild members from throughout the Diocese
reviewed activities of the past year, and discussed a "strategic plan" for
the future.

WG3

Participants in the Women’s Guild assembly heard presentations from guest
speakers and from local guild members.

WG4

Yn. Violet Kasparian receives the Women’s Guild’s "Woman of Wonder Award"
from Diocesan Primate Abp. Barsamian and Leslie Movsesian, who chairs the
Women’s Guild Central Council.

# # #

KARABAKH WILL OFFER TERRITORY
NAIRA NAYRUMYAN

Lragir.am
6/05/10

According to our data, in Karabakh, a geo-economic development program
of the country in the context of the region is being worked out.

Geo-economic aspect takes on special urgency against the background
of recent developments in the negotiation process and regional
developments.

"Ankara, Baku and Yerevan are going to lead "silent diplomacy"
for a couple of months, after which relevant steps will be taken up
in the sphere of the Armenian and Turkish protocols and stability
establishment in Caucasus", said the foreign minister of Turkey
Ahmet Davutoglu". He also noted that Turkish-Azerbaijani relations
are much more developed now than before. This means that Turkey and
Azerbaijan managed to agree over political issues, including those
connected with Armenia. The fact that Baku and Ankara agreed, finally,
on the gas price is a proof of this.

About the fact that in the region they came to a principled
agreement in connection with a number of issues proves the statement
of Azerbaijan that Baku is willful to allocate 50 percent of the
Azerbaijani gas to the gas pipeline Nabucco. This means that between
the West and Russia some agreement took place, and, apparently, it
does not affect the conclusion of final agreements or documenting
relations. The point is about regional geo-economic projects for
the implementation of which the parties have to postpone political
problems and open the borders for communications.

The deputy foreign minister of Azerbaijan Araz Azimov made a
noteworthy statement in this connection. He noted that "the opening
of the Armenian and Turkish border could be a fundamental lever for
the start of cooperation between Armenia and Azerbaijan or for the
collaboration in some other sphere". Noteworthy, the normalization of
relations with Armenia, he determined by the withdrawal of troops from
5 regions but not by the stipulation of a peace agreement. So far,
the Azerbaijani powers have been affirming that the cooperation with
Armenia is impossible "until the end of aggression".

About the fact that political issues, the ratification of the protocols
and all the rest, should put aside said the director of European
programs of the International Crisis Group Sabina Fraser. She noted
that now is the time to do "real" things – to open the border.

Appeal to look at the reality made the former Russian co-chair of
OSCE Minsk group Vladimir Kazimirov. "What is the sense to assert how
many people and where lived a century ago? It is necessary to proceed
from the current situation and not the situation of a century ago",
underlined Kazimirov.

So, it is high time that Karabakh offers a geo-economic project of
use of the territory under its jurisdiction under regional projects.

Political and legal questions are likely to be postponed indefinitely
in favor of economic ones.

OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS EXPECT TO MEET ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTERS IN EUROPE

Panorama.am
16:15 06/05/2010

Politics

The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs (Ambassador Yuri Merzlyakov, the
Russian Federation; Ambassador Bernard Fassier, France; Ambassador
Robert Bradtke, United States; incoming Russian Co-Chair Ambassador
Igor Popov) released a statement today after they briefed the OSCE
Minsk Group in Vienna May 5 on the current status of negotiations, and
voiced hope to meet the Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers in
Europe in the coming days to discuss how to move negotiations forward,
according to the OSCE official website.

The Co-Chairs underscored the commitment of the parties to make
progress on the elaboration of a settlement based on the Madrid
Principles.

In his last trip to Vienna as the Russian Co-Chair, Ambassador
Merzlyakov formally introduced Ambassador Popov to the Minsk Group
as the new Russian Co-Chair.

BAKU INSISTS YEREVAN MUST ACCEPT OSCE PLAN

news.az
May 5 2010
Azerbaijan

Novruz Mammadov A senior Azerbaijani official has said that Armenia
did ask the OSCE mediators for time to withdraw from the districts
of Lachin and Kelbajar.

‘Araz Azimov’s ideas comprehensively clarify certain issues that
are on the negotiating table. The deputy minister raised the issues
negotiated there,’ Novruz Mammadov, head of the International Relations
Department at the Presidential Administration, said today.

He was commenting on remarks by Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister
Araz Azimov yesterday that Armenia had asked for time to withdraw
from Lachin and Kelbajar.

Mammadov said these proposals had been elaborated by the OSCE Minsk
Group mediators. ‘From this point of view, indeed Armenia demanded
time not only for withdrawal from these two regions, but for other
issues raised by Araz Azimov. Armenia demanded two weeks; several
months have passed, but there is no reaction yet.’

The head of department said the Minsk Group co-chairs were working on
it and keeping in touch with the sides. ‘Maybe we will be informed
about the positions of the sides soon. The issue raised is the most
correct way to solve the conflict. There is no other solution. Armenia
must understand this full well. This is an opportunity for the
international community and for the leaders of the co-chairing
countries. It needs to put pressure on Armenia and to try to solve
the problem.’

Asked whether war would be unavoidable by the end of the year,
Mammadov said: ‘It is difficult to forecast war, but we are always
ready to liberate our lands by any means.’

Mammadov said the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs were working in Vienna
on the issues raised by Araz Azimov. ‘They have to force Armenia to
accept the project they have elaborated.’

APF 23RD EUROPEAN REGIONAL FORUM ADOPTS DECLARATION ON EDUCATIONAL REFORMS

GMTPanARMENIAN.Net
May 5, 2010 – 19:37 AMT 14:37
Francophonie

Parliamentary Assembly (APF) 23rd European regional forum held
in Yerevan raised Armenian community’s awareness of Francophonie
international organisation.

RA NA delegation representative at APF Armen Rustamyan characterized
Francophonie as an organisation based on a unified system of values,
rather than verbal community

As he told a joint news-conference with APF 23rd European regional
forum participants, "The forum held focused on educational issues;
joint declaration on educational reforms was adopted."

Head of APF European mission Jean-Paul Wahl, in turn, gave high
assessment to French-teaching standards in Armenia.

Head of APF parliamentary delegation Henriette Martinez stated,
"Our organization pursues 2 goals: preservation of French language,
as well as promotion of democracy and human rights defense. Armenia
has succeeded in achieving both."