Author: Kharatian Ani

VAHAN HOVHANNISYAN UNHAPPY ABOUT TERRI DAVIS REPORT

A1 Plus
24-09-2004

Vahan Hovhannisyan, one of Dashnaktsutyun party leaders, speaking
Friday in National Press Club voiced his discontent with views of the
CE reporter on Nagorno Karabakh Terri Davis.

`His latest report is composed by oil companies. It doesn’treflect the
CE point of view’, Hovhannisyan said.

The Dashnak expressed his concern about the fact that the CE
new-appointed reporter is British too. `I fear him to be guided by his
predecessor’s report’, he said.

Journalists asked what American Steven Mann, OSCE Minsk Group’s
co-chair, said in his interview with BBC radio station, in which he
accused Armenia of taking too isolating stance in the region
integration process and deterringitself from roads and oil pipelines
construction.

`Nothing new’, the answer was.

BOOK REVIEW: New Armenia Travel Guide

By Neil C Scott
Yerevan Times
9-24-04

Armenia has become increasingly visited over the last decade so that
this Guide, which is beautifully illustrated by the authors’ own
photographs, is particularly welcome.

It is authoritative and highly informative, and written by authors who
have explored the country thoroughly with intelligent and observant
eyes. Their coverage of environmental issues adds significantly to the
value of the book.

The Guide starts with three introductory chapters covering the history
of Armenia, the basics of getting to the country and travelling around
it, and its ecology and environment.

Useful historical summaries by Robert Suny set the political scene,
while two other excellent contributions by Jason Kauffeld and Daniel
Klem on the forests and birds of Armenia respectively, emphasise the
fragile state of the country’s ecology and the measures that are being
taken to try to protect it. As in other parts of the book, useful
links are provided to stakeholders and other interested organisations.

A further seven chapters describe Yerevan, the regions, and Nagorno
Karabagh. The chapter on Yerevan provides an excellent summary of
where to stay and what to see, including those intriguing parts that
nobody else knows about – such as the city’s oldest religious centre,
the Katoghikeh Chapel, tucked away behind the Linguistics Institute in
Abovian Street. This chapel is so small that many worshipers have to
stand outside it during services!

The authors also draw attention to the development challenges that
Yerevan is facing and commendably highlight the absence of planning
controls that have allowed unwelcome incursion into the city’s
fast-diminishing greenbelt, as in the area adjacent to the monumental
Opera House.

The bulk of the Guide is devoted to the country’s regions, with
emphasis on sites of historical interest. As might be expected, these
focus on monasteries and other religious artefacts but the authors set
these in the context of contemporary social and political life,
thereby making their coverage relevant to Armenia today. For instance,
the problem of emigration and the legacy of the 1988 earthquake are
discussed, and attention drawn to the strange, isolated Russian
Molokan communities in the Dilijan area, where Armenian is not spoken
or understood.

More attention could have been paid to the changing industrial scene
and of the country’s Soviet and contemporary architecture. This could
be included in the enlarged Guide that the authors are planning for
the future, which will provide a more complete coverage of historical
Armenian sites in Eastern Anatolia. These are discussed in Appendix in
this Guide.

The chapter on Karabagh is particularly welcome since this Armenian
enclave in Azerbaijan has only recently been accessible to tourists
from Armenia. Throughout the book, detailed information is provided
on how to get to places of interest and where to stay, based on
Matthew Karanian and Robert Kurkjian’s own meticulous on-the-ground
research in their trusty Niva jeep.

Useful maps and plans of the principal cities as well as many
exquisite photographs support the lucid text, while the book’s layout
is clear and easy to follow. The Guide is priced at less than $25,
making it exceptionally good value. It will undoubtedly become the
standard reference volume for travellers to Armenia for many years to
come.

At a Glance:
Stone Garden Guide to Armenia and Karabagh
Matthew Karanian and Robert Kurkjian (304 pages)
Publisher: Stone Garden Productions
ISBN 0-9672120-8-1 $24.95

[Printed on p. 8 of The Yerevan Times; Photographs: Book Jacket,
Karabagh Shepherd]

Armenian foreign minister, OSCE envoy discuss Karabakh

Arminfo
22 Sep 04

YEREVAN

Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan met the special envoy of the
OSCE chairman-in-office on the Nagornyy Karabakh issue, Filip
Dimitrov, today.

The press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry has told Arminfo
that after saying what the purpose of his visit to Azerbaijan and
Armenia was, the special representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office
said the current OSCE leadership attached particular importance to
resolving the Karabakh conflict.

Vardan Oskanyan, in turn, welcomed the appointment of a special envoy
and provided detailed information to his counterpart about the
negotiating process in light of the meeting of the Armenian and
Azerbaijani presidents in Astana and the latest meeting of the foreign
ministers of the two countries.

At Filip Dimitrov’s request, the Armenian foreign minister provided
explanation of some settlement-related issues.

As part of his two-day visit, Dimitrov will meet Armenian President
Robert Kocharyan, Speaker of the National Assembly Artur Bagdasaryan
and Defence Minister Serzh Sarkisyan.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Students’ Association
Email: [email protected]
NYC: Vartges Saroyan, <[email protected]>
Boston: Dzovinar Derderian <[email protected]>

NEW YORK, NY – The Armenian Students’ Association in cooperation with the
NYU Armenian Club and The Tufts University Armenian Club will host a series
of lecture/discussion events with Mr. Hilmar Kaiser.

The first event will take place on NYU campus in New York at the Kimmel
Center, Room 406 (on Washington Square Park). The discussion will be held
on Thursday, September 30, 2004. The event is to start at 7:00 PM sharp.
Admission is free for ALL.

The second event will be held on Tufts University Campus at Medford, MA
Eaton Hall, Room 206 on Thursday, October 7, 2004. The event is to start at
8:00 P.M. sharp. Admission is free for ALL

Mr. Kaiser, a well-known German researcher of Ottoman and German history
with special emphasis on the Armenian Genocide, as well as late Ottoman
social and economic history, will talk to the ASA guests on the topic of
`Armenian Children and Relief during the Genocide’.

The destruction of the Armenian community during the Genocide did not
necessarily imply the killing of all Armenians. Instead, under certain
circumstances, some, specifically, specific groups of Armenian children,
were spared. Help from abroad also played a crucial role for survival. U.S.
ambassadors Henry Morgenthau and Abram Elkus were instrumental in organizing
and sustaining popular support for the relief work carried out during that
time.

After the war, Morgenthau’s memoirs became a key source for historians. The
memoirs of Elkus, however, remained unknown. The lecture will introduce the
newly discovered and published memoirs of Elkus and place them within the
context of the Armenian Genocide. Moreover, on the basis of secret Ottoman
orders, missionary records, and other evidence, the lecture will show the
various dynamics that determined the survival or death of Armenian children.
Photographs taken by eyewitnesses provide further information on the
prevailing conditions during the genocide and the complexity of the
phenomenon.

Some of the past and current topics of Mr. Kaiser’s research include:
`Imperialism, Racism, and Development Theories. The Construction of a
Dominant Paradigm on Ottoman Armenians’ (published by Gomidas Institute);
`The Baghdad Railway and the Armenian Genocide, 1915-1916. A Case Study in
German Resistance and Complicity, in, Remembrance and Denial. The Case of
the Armenian Genocide’ (edited by Professor Richard Hovannisian) and many
more.
Mr. Kaiser is a founding member of the Committee for the Publication of
Italian Documents on Armenia; holds a position of consultant and researcher
at Armenian Film Foundation; and serves on the Board of the Center for
Contemporary Armenian History in Paris, France.

Both events are co-sponsored by the Armenian Students’ Association branches
in New York / New Jersey / Boston and above mentioned university clubs. The
Armenian Students’ Association is a voluntary organization presenting
lectures, cultural events and social gatherings. A portion of all proceeds
will be contributed to the ASA Scholarship Fund, which grants financial aid
to college students of Armenian descent in the United States.

For information about the event and ASA or information on how to join a
university Armenian club please visit our web page at

ARKA News Agency
Sept 21 2004

Today independent Armenia is one of principal partners of the USA

Vladimir Putin congratulates Armenian President on occasion of
Independence Day

Armenian President visits memorial complex Yerablur on occasion of
Independence Day

Catholicos of All-Armenians H.H. Garegin II meets president of
European Commission Romano Prodi

Catholicos of All-Armenians meet Prosecutor General of Belarus

Captain of Police of Armenia Hayk Ghalumyan awarded posthumous order
`Military Cross’ of 2nd degree

Four Armenian artists awarded with medal

10 Armenian figures of art receive honorary titles

Number of Armenian citizens handed over gratifying letters

Armenian President awards Iosif Kobzon with St. Mesrob Mashtots order
for contribution to development of Armenian-Russian relations

*********************************************************************

TODAY INDEPENDENT ARMENIA IS ONE OF PRINCIPAL PARTNERS OF THE USA

YEREVAN, September 21. /ARKA/. Today independent Armenia is one of
principal partners of the USA. As Armenian President Press Service
told ARKA, this is mentioned in US President George Bush’s
congratulatory message to his Armenian colleague Robert Kocharian. `I
express special gratitude to Armenia for the support provided to the
US in its struggle against terrorisms’, the US President stressed.
The message reads that the US will keep working in order to support
the Armenian Government and People in achieving economic growth,
strengthening democratic institutes and settlement of Nagorno
Karabakh conflict. `I do hope that the cooperation between our
nations and deep friendly relations between two peoples will
strengthen further’, US President’s message says. T.M. -0–

*********************************************************************

VLADIMIR PUTIN CONGRATULATES ARMENIAN PRESIDENT ON OCCASION OF
INDEPENDENCE DAY

YEREVAN, September 21. /ARKA/. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent
his congratulations to Head of the Armenian State Robert Kocharian on
occasion of Independence Day. As Armenian President Press Service
told ARKA, the message says that `productive and multifaceted
cooperation between Russia and Armenia are anchored on brotherhood of
our peoples proved by the time’. `I am confident that further
enhancing of Russian-Armenian strategic partnership is in harmony
with root interests of our peoples and it plays an important role in
preservation of peace and stability on Caucasus’, the message reads.
T.M. -0–

*********************************************************************

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT VISITS MEMORIAL COMPLEX YERABLUR ON OCCASION OF
INDEPENDENCE DAY

YEREVAN, September 21. /ARKA/. On occasion of Independence Day
Armenian President Robert Kocharian visited today Memorial Complex
Yerablur. As Armenian President Press Service told ARKA, `Kocharian
and accompanying persons rendered homage and respect to sons of the
Armenian people who sacrificed their lives for freedom of the
Motherland’. T.M. -0–

*********************************************************************

CATHOLICOS OF ALL-ARMENIANS H.H. GAREGIN II MEETS PRESIDENT OF
EUROPEAN COMMISSION ROMANO PRODI

YEREVAN, September 21. /ARKA/. Catholicos of All-Armenians His
Holiness Garegin II met President of European Commission Romano
Prodi. As St. Echmiadzin Holy See told ARKA, Prodi presented programs
and opinions of the EU, stressing the EU’s interest in the region.
The sides also touched upon the process of settlement of Karabakh
conflict. In his turn Catholicos mentioned that Armenians are bearers
of European system of values by their psychology, mentality. These
values are based on Christian values, His Holiness said. T.M. -0–

*********************************************************************

CATHOLICOS OF ALL-ARMENIANS MEET PROSECUTOR GENERAL OF BELARUS

YEREVAN, September 21. /ARKA/. Catholicos of All-Armenians His
Holiness Garegin II met the Prosecutor General of Belarus Victor
Scheiman. As Echmiadzin Holy See told ARKA, the meeting was attended
by Prosecutor General of Armenia Aghvan Hovsepyan. Catholicos highly
appreciated cooperation between prosecutions of two countries. The
sides also touched upon joint future projects. T.M. -0–

*********************************************************************

CAPTAIN OF POLICE OF ARMENIA HAYK GHALUMYAN AWARDED POSTHUMOUS ORDER
`MILITARY CROSS’ OF 2ND DEGREE

YEREVAN, September 21. /ARKA/. By decree of Armenian President
authorized employee of criminal investigations of Mashtots District
of Police Department of Yerevan Hayk Ghaluman was awarded posthumous
order `Military Cross’ of 2nd decree `for self-sacrifice and courage
when performing his debt’, as Armenian President told ARKA. T.M. -0–

*********************************************************************

FOUR ARMENIAN ARTISTS AWARDED WITH MEDAL

YEREVAN, September 21. /ARKA/. On occasion of 13th anniversary of
Independence Day of Armenia Armenian President Robert Kocharian
signed decree on awarding Movses Khorenatsi medal to writer from the
Diaspora Peter Balakian, Artists of Vanadzor State Dramatic Theater
Roza Mkhitaryan and Sculptor Arto Chakhmakhchyan. As Armenian
President Press Service told ARKA, Senior Nurse of Kapan
Anti-Tuberculosis Dispensary Marusya Ghukasyan were awarded with
Mkhitar Heratsi medal. T.M. -0–

*********************************************************************

10 ARMENIAN FIGURES OF ART RECEIVE HONORARY TITLES

YEREVAN, September 21. /ARKA/. On occasion of 13th anniversary of
Independence Day of Armenia Armenian President Robert Kocharian
signed decree on awarding honorary titles to 10 artists. As Armenian
President Press Service told ARKA, honorary titles of People’s Artist
were awarded to Professor of State Conservatorium after Komitas
Araxia Davtyan, singer Hasmik Papyan and film director Artavazd
Peleshyan.
Composer Araik Gevorgyan, Duduk player Gevorg Dabaghyan, violinist
Nikolay Madoev, artists of National Academic Theater after Sundukyan
Greta Mejlumyan and Harutyun Movsesyan were awarded Honored Artist
title.
Honored Artist titles were also awarded to Eduard Ter-Ghazaryan,
title of Honored Doctor-Pediatrician to doctor Yeva Bezhanova of
Amasia Health Center CJSC. T.M. -0 –

*********************************************************************

NUMBER OF ARMENIAN CITIZENS HANDED OVER GRATIFYING LETTERS

YEREVAN, September 21. /ARKA/. A number of Armenian citizens were
handed over gratifying letters. As Armenian Government Public and
Press Department told ARKA, Levon Lazarian, Chairman of producing
center Alfael, Hrachya Ashughyan, Head of Yerevan community Kentron
Gagik Beglaryan, Chairman of Union of Dancers, Head of Apparatus of
Armavir Marz Parandzem Karapetyan and the team of National Theater of
Opera and Ballet were awarded President’s gratifying letters for
organization and holding of One Nation, One Culture Pan-Armenian
Festival.
Deputy Armenian Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs Karine
Khodikyan, Head of Department of Relations with Diaspora at Armenian
Foreign Ministry Jivan Movsesyan, Head of Secretariat of Ministry of
Culture and Youth Affairs Nora Dayan, Head of Department of
International Relations and Cooperation with the Diaspora at Armenian
Culture and Youth Affairs Ministry Susanna Khachatryan, Director of
Hyefilm Gevorg Gevorgyan, Director of Expomedia Ltd Anahit Hakobyan,
Producer of Cultural Programs Armen Manukyan were handed over
Armenian PM’s gratifying certificates.
On occasion of Independence Day and merits to Motherland Armenian PM
also awarded gratifying certificates to Atanas Movsesyan, Levon
margaryan, Andranik Karapetyan, Stepan Karapetyan, Zinaven Ghazaryan
– posthumous, Varag Arakelyan and Gurgen Armaghanyan. By decree of
Armenian Defense Minister for transferal of remains Garegin Nzhdeh,
`Garegin Nzhdeh’ medal was awarded to employees of Institute of
History of National Academy of Sciences of republic of Armenia Rafik
Hambartsumyan, Translator of State Archives of Armenia Pavel Ananyan,
Senior Lecturer of Yerevan State Institute of Economy Garegin
Mkhitaryan, Chief Doctor of Berdadzor Artsakh Buniatsyan and painter
Zhora Barseghyan. T.M. -0–

*********************************************************************

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT AWARDS IOSIF KOBZON WITH ST. MESROB MASHTOTS ORDER
FOR CONTRIBUTION TO DEVELOPMENT OF ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN RELATIONS

YEREVAN, September 21. /ARKA/. Armenian President Robert Kocharian
awarded the Russian singer Iosif Kobzon with St. Mesrob Mashtots
order for contribution into development of Armenian-Russian relations
as well as active benevolent activity, as Armenian President Press
Service told ARKA. By another President’s decree Yeghishe
Astvatsatryan was awarded with St. Mesrob Mshtots order for
considerable contribution into development of the Armenian economy,
active public and political life. T.M. -0–

ArmenPress
Sept 20 2004

HARVEST SEASON IN FULL SWING

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS: Local canneries and wineries
said today they are prepared to purchase as much fruits, vegetables
and grapes as offered by farmers. Canneries pay 22-25 drams per one
kilo of tomatoes and 150 drams for one kilo of grapes.
According to the latest figures, agricultural products processing
companies have already procured 28,000 tons of vegetables, 1,300 tons
of fruits and 5,700 tons of grapes, 3,600 tons of which by the
French-owned Yerevan Brandy Company.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-

PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +3741. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +3741. .562543
Email: [email protected]:

PRESS RELEASE

16 September 2004

Deputy Foreign Minister Tatoul Margarian Meets Latvia’s State Secretary
for Defense Edgar Rinkevichs and Head of Defense Policy and Planning
Department Anjey Willumsen

Deputy Minister Tatoul Margarian received Edgar Rinkevics, Latvia’s
State Secretary for Defense and Anjey Willumsen, Head of Defense
Policy and Planning Department on the 16th of September.

Deputy Foreign Minister briefed the guests on Armenia’s position on
regional developments, such as the potential for conflict settlement
in Nagorno-Karabakh, and regional security and confidence building
among countries of the region. The current state of Armenia-NATO
relations was also discussed.

Latvia’s Secretary of Defense spoke about the possibility of
cooperation between the defense ministries of the two countries and
shared his views on Latvia’s experience in NATO and the EU.

Russia interested in resolution of conflicts in S Caucasus

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Sept 16 2004

On Thursday Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Nikolay Ryabov held
a news conference on completion of his diplomatic mission in
Azerbaijan. Ryabov said his country is interested in a resolution
of conflicts in South Caucasus region. “Russia would benefit both
politically

and economically if the conflicts in South Caucasus are resolved
as soon as possible. It is absurd to believe that it is interested
in the ongoing conflicts.” The ambassador stated that the recent
developments in North and South Caucasus prove the need for taking
new steps and well-considered ideas to settle regional conflicts.
“The course of developments shows that ignoring these processes could
be disastrous”, he said.

Touching upon the Upper Garabagh conflict, Ryabov stated that
there is sufficient potential for further talks to be held by the
Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in Astana, Kazakhstan on the
initiative of Russian President Putin. Ryabov stressed Azerbaijan’s
moral and financial support to the victims of the recent terrorist
act in North Osetia. “We highly appreciate the support by the
government of Azerbaijan, the delivery of 7.5 tons of the needed
medicine to the victims, considering there are hundreds of thousands
unsettled refugees in Azerbaijan. The ambassador also said that a
number of problems between Russia and Azerbaijan have been resolved.
“However, this does not mean that the current relations between our
countries are cloudless, although we are close, both from political
and ethnic standpoints.” The new Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan has
not been announced yet. Initially, the position was to be assumed by
the governor of Russia’s Astrakhan region Anatoliy Guzhvin, who has
passed away. Ryabov has been reassigned to Kishinyov, Moldova.

No breakthrough in Azerbaijan, Armenia talks on Nagorno-Karabakh dispute

Agence France Presse — English
September 15, 2004 Wednesday 5:26 PM GMT

ASTANA Sept 15 — The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan on Wednesday
held talks in presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin in a bid
to resolve their dispute over the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, but
failed to report any breakthrough.

“We cannot boast any particular success. We must continue to quietly
and patiently discuss this problem which we have inherited,” Armenian
President Robert Kocharian told reporters after the talks.

His Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev was equally cautious. “We must as
usual content ourselves with making fairly vague declarations. Today
is no exception,” he said.

“We hope to progress towards a settlement” of the issue surrounding
the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, over which Armenia and Azerbaikan
fought a five-year war in the early 1990s, Aliyev added.

Kocharian and Aliyev held two-way talks before joining Putin for
more discussions.

“I am happy to see that you have not lost your optimism… and are
continuing the dialogue at the highest level,” Putin said as the talks
began, on the sidelines of a summit of former Soviet republics here.

Though a fragile ceasefire is in force in Nagorno-Karabakh, the two
sides are still officially in a state of war. Azerbaijan had threatened
to renew hostilities unless peace talks produce results soon.

“Hopes are very high, despite the complexity of the problem,” Putin
said, adding that “whatever the result, a meeting of three leaders
is always a step forwards.”

Aliyev thanked Russia for taking part in the summit talks.

“Our neighbour Russia, co-president of the Minsk Group, plays a key
part in the settlement,” he said. The Minsk Group, comprising France,
Russia and the United States, has been mediating between the two
states for the past decade.

Some 35,000 people were killed and about one million displaced by
the conflict, which erupted during the break up of the Soviet Union.

The war ended with Armenian forces in control of Nagorno-Karabakh,
but the enclave is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan’s
territory.

Putin’s bid to alter election syst doesn’t contradict Constitution

Itar-Tass, Russia
Sept 14 2004

MOSCOW, September 15 — President Vladimir Putin’s initiative to change
the system of electing governors does not contradict the Fundamental
Law, chairman of the committee on constitutional legislation and state
development under the State Duma lower house of parliament Vladimir
Pligin said.

“The introduction of the proportionate election system of Duma
lawmakers does not contradict the Fundamental Law,” Pligin said.

After the abrogation of direct gubernatorial election, the institute
of presidential envoys and chief federal inspectors in regions will
be dissolved, Saratov region governor Dmitry Ayatskov said.

“If the president recommends the governor, why need presidential
envoys who dub their functions? The transfer of part of regional
powers to the federal center in the person of presidential envoys
was a forced measure,” Ayatskov said.

Ethnic groups of the Kemerovo region backed the presidential
initiatives aimed at strengthening state power, regional administration
officials told Itar-Tass.

Head of the community “Belarus” Mikhail Brilev told a meeting of the
ethnic groups’ leaders that “the election of regional leaders at the
suggestion by the head of state will strengthen executive power, while
people, through the Public Chamber, will be able to actively influence
the preparation and adoption of laws by lawmakers at all levels.”

The people will get a real opportunity to participate in the formation
of strategy of socio-economic development of certain regions and the
country as a whole, Brilev said.

Nar Oganesyan, a representative of the Armenian organization “Urartu”
called the president’s decision to set up the ministry of regional and
national policies “an effective methods of uniting peoples of Russia.”

The election of governors at the suggestion by the head of state
may imply alternatives, Penza region governor Vasily Bochkaryov
said Tuesday.

“The optimization of the system of governing the country, proposed by
Putin, will not only help strengthen regional authorities, but also
combine federalism with an effective power vertical,” Bochkaryov said.

“At present, I associate the system of federalism with three parallel
runways, along which three planes simultaneously take off, interfering
with each other,” he said.

Federal, regional and municipal authorities should be not competitors,
but links of one governance system, he underlined.