Author: Khoyetsian Rose

Institute for War & Peace Reporting
Aug 18 2004

ARMENIA: PAGAN GAMES

In a country normally associated with strong Christian identity, many
are opting for the old gods.

By Karine Ter-Saakian in Garni

Standing on Mount Aragats, the high priest waited until the sun set
his torch on fire so that it could be carried to the pagan temple of
Garni. Thus began Navasard, one of Armenia’s oldest and most popular
holidays, celebrated every year on August 11.

According to legend, on this day the patriarch Hayk slew the tyrant
Bel and freed his family and future generations of Armenians.

The combination of athletics and ancient rituals makes Navasard
reminiscent of the Olympic Games.

After the high priest clad in a red tunic faces the sun and sings a
hymn to Vahagn, the festivities begin with young people singing and
dancing, and playing at archery. Anyone wishing to join the pagan
community is initiated in a “fire and sword” ritual, and then plants
an apricot tree.

Although all this looks like time-honoured ceremony – this year is
counted as the 9,588th since the birth of Vahagn, the supreme deity in
the Armenian pagan pantheon – the festival is in fact a modern
revival.

“We resumed celebrating ancient Armenian holidays in 1990,” Slak
Kakosian, the high priest of Armenia, told IWPR. “Before that,
everything was banned. They sent me to the prison camps for two years
for ‘nationalism’ in 1961, and forced me to emigrate to the United
States in 1965. I only came back during the Gorbachev era.”

Politically, the pagan community is affiliated with the Armenian
Republican Party, whose philosophy is based on the teachings of
Tsegakron, the Armenian pre-Christian religion.

But the latter-day pagans distance themselves from politics.
Historian Ara Stepanian, who comes here from St Petersburg in Russia
every year, said, “There’s too much politics in people’s lives
already, and

that’s not good. The more people think about spiritual revival, the
better their chances of survival.”

He recommends that the Ukhtagir, or pagan scripture, should replace
the Bible as every thinking Armenian’s handbook.

“A thousand copies of the book are soon due out in print, and
community members will hand them out to the people. It is not our
intention to fully replace the Bible with the Ukhtagir, but Armenian
people should know they did not descend from Noah, but that they lived
here in the mountains of Armenia before the Flood,” said Kakosian.

Armenia is commonly regarded as the world’s first Christian state,
following the conversion of King Tiridates in the year 301, and its
religious identity has marked it out among its largely Muslim
neighbours.

But pre-Christian sun-worship still lingers in the national
consciousness. As well as the temple at Garni, Armenia also has its
own prehistoric Stonehenge, known as Karaundj, or Singing Stones, in
the south of the country. A sprawling structure with hundreds of
standing monoliths, it was built 6,000 years ago as a temple of the
sun, doubling as an astronomical observatory.

In a poll recently held by the Centre for Strategic and National
Studies in Yerevan, 34 per cent of Armenians said they consider
themselves Christian, 24 per cent said they were atheists, and 32 per
cent declared themselves to be pagans. “The slight differences in
percentages of believers proves that 1,700 years of Christianity have
failed to eradicate the old faith in Armenia,” said political
commentator Eduard Enfiajian, also a member of the pagan community.

“In Armenia, many people identify religion with the church
establishment. Not us. We have nothing against Christianity, but as a
social institution, it is not acceptable to us. Religion is
constitutionally

separated from the state, but in reality, they teach Christianity even
in kindergartens, not to mention schools, universities and the armed
forces. To me, this is wrong; a person should be able to choose which

God he will obey.”

The Armenian Apostolic Church takes an unusually relaxed view of its
pagan competitors, considering its hostility to more recent
evangelical groups.

“Unlike the new sects, they have nothing to do with Christianity,”
explained the Reverend Vagram Melikian, press spokesman for the
Armenian church in Echmiadzin. “The Armenian Church has an unequivocal
stance on sectarians, but we do not interfere in pagan affairs.”

Some Armenians manage to combine sympathy for both the traditional
Christian church and paganism.

“The pagans are custodians of the old customs,” explained Alexander
Amarian, head of the Help Centre for the Victims of Destructive Cults,
which campaigns against other religious groups or “sects” as they are

commonly called here. “The Armenian nation must remember its
pre-Christian past, and Ara’s Children [a pagan group] help them
remember. They also support the Armenian Apostolic Church in its
fight against destructive sects. A protest against sects was held
recently. Freedom

of worship is important, but we cannot give free rein to those sects
that impinge on our national identity.”

Many young people are getting involved in the pre-Christian rites.

Anait, 20, joined the pagan community 12 months ago. “I like it here.

No one tells me what to do. They tell us about the Armenian history
before Christianity, and give us books to read. It seems our people
are returning to their ancient roots. Garni is a spiritual centre of
cosmic significance. Paganism has no rigid rules or commandments,” she
told IWPR.

Anait, who is a medical student, wears a swastika sign around her
neck. Her fellow students strongly disapprove. “For an Armenian, it is
appropriate to wear a cross, not a Nazi symbol,” said student Ruben.
“If I had my way, I would ban all those sects and weird religions.
Our church is much too tolerant of them.”

“To most people, the swastika is a Nazi symbol, but that is not so,”
said Gagik Hairapetian, a pagan priest. “The swastika is a pagan
symbol. Those young Armenians people who wear swastikas are no Nazis.

Only an ignorant person identifies the swastika with Nazis.”

A young army lieutenant, who asked not to be named, strongly agreed:
for him the pagan ceremonies were all about Armenian patriotism. “I
came to paganism quite consciously,” he said. “I am convinced that
this is the true Armenian faith, and that it helped us win the war
[with Azerbaijan] I feel it in my bones.”

Karine Ter-Saakian is a freelance journalist based in Yerevan

Georgian villagers take BP to court over pipeline damage to homes

A-Info news agency
16 Aug 04

AKHALKALAKI

Residents of the village of Minadze in Georgia’s Akhaltsikhe District,
have expressed their dissatisfaction with representatives of the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.

The reason for the villagers’ dissatisfaction is that grave damage has
been done to their houses, some of which are on the verge of collapse,
by vibrations caused by the movement of heavy vehicles used in the
construction of the pipeline. The villagers are demanding compensation
for the damage, but representatives of BP insist that testing was done
to determine the impact of the heavy vehicles; the level of impact was
defined and it does not have a negative effect on the conditions of
the houses.

Moreover, BP representatives believe that the village houses were on
the verge of collapse before the construction of the pipeline and this
is connected with landslides.

Having been refused compensation, residents of Minadze have gone to
court.

Azerbaijan relies on own forces in fight against terrorism – foreign minister

Ekho Moskvy news agency, Moscow
18 Aug 04

There is still room for negotiations and the sides can achieve
progress in the Nagornyy Karabakh settlement, Azerbaijani Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said in a live broadcast on Ekho Moskvy
radio on 18 August following talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey
Lavrov in Moscow. Russia, being a mediator in the talks, is
responsible for finding a speedy solution to the problem, he
said. Terrorism is a major threat to the country, and Azerbaijan
relies in the first place on its own forces in the fight against
international terrorism, the minister said. Speaking about the
country’s oil policy, Mammadyarov said that Russian oil giant LUKoil
was an important player on Azerbaijan’s oil market. The following is
the text of the interview by Russian news agency Ekho Moskvy on 18
August; subheadings have been inserted editorially:

South Ossetia

Azerbaijan believes that the situation around South Ossetia should be
resolved within the framework of Georgia’s territorial integrity,
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has said in a live
broadcast on Ekho Moskvy radio.

“Georgia is our strategic partner and a very close trade and economic
partner, we have very similar positions on many issues in
international relations,” he said. At the same time, Azerbaijan calls
for a peaceful settlement of the conflict around South Ossetia. “War
is too a radical solution to the issue,” Mammadyarov said.

Oil

“Following the reforms to build a market economy in the country,
energy exports have acquired a commercial nature,” Elmar Mammadyarov
said. He said that increasing the volume of Azerbaijani crude
transported via the Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline was discussed at talks
with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday [18
August]. But both sides understand that “this depends on commercial
costs”, Mammadyarov said.

It is not important for Azerbaijan in principle companies of what
countries work in the country’s energy sector, everything is defined
by the “tariff policy” – ” those who offer better terms get
contracts”, the Azerbaijani foreign minister said.

He also said that [Russia’s] LUKoil was still “quite an important
player on Azerbaijan’s oil market”. In particular, “joint development
of a number of fields in the Caspian” is under way.

The construction of the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline will end in the
second quarter of 2005, Mammadyarov said. He added that up to 70 per
cent of the pipeline has been built so far. He said that this was
“quite a complicated project” because the pipeline will go through
many countries.

Karabakh

“We want the Minsk Group to be more active in the settlement” of the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, the Azerbaijani foreign minister said.

The OSCE Minsk Group “has the potential that it has to use and put
into action. We expect the co-chairs of the group – the USA, France
and Russia – to be more actively involved in the negotiations,” he
said. “These super powers should make consistent efforts to resolve
the problem,” he noted. Russia, as a co-chair of the Minsk Group, “is
responsible for finding a speedy solution to the issue,” Mammadyarov
stressed.

Speaking about the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, Mammadyarov said
that there still was room for negotiations and that “we can achieve
some results if the sides wish”.

The problem of displaced persons has to be resolved within the
settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh problem, Mammadyarov
stressed. “According to available information, Armenia is settling
people on the occupied territory”, which could result in a conflict if
some progress is achieved during the talks, he said. “If Armenia is
carrying out a purposeful programme on settling people on that
territory, then it can provide support to families,” Mammadyarov
said. In any case, this issue should be solved within the framework of
international law, the Azerbaijani foreign minister said.

Terrorism

Azerbaijan views terrorism as a major foreign threat, Mammadyarov
said.

He said that this could be explained in the first place by the
country’s geopolitical position. A total of 32 terror acts have been
carried out in Azerbaijan since the collapse of the USSR, Mammadyarov
said.

At the same time, the Azerbaijani foreign minister said that
Azerbaijan and Russia stuck to similar positions in the fight against
international terrorism. However, in the fight against international
terrorism “Azerbaijan will rely in the first place on its own forces”,
Mammadyarov stressed.

California Courier Online, August 19, 2004

1 – Commentary
Israeli Paper Says Jewish Groups
Still Blocking Genocide Resolution

By Harut Sassounian
California Courier Publisher
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2 – Mardikian/Saroyan Banquet
Organized to Benefit Schools
3 – Banderas, Saban, Yemenidjian to Chair
Benefit for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
4 – ARS Western Region Convention
Elects Four New Members to R.E
5 – Armenian-Language Domestic
Violence Hotline Set by YWCA
6 – Soghomonian Starts 500 Mile Bike-a-Thon
To Benefit ATG Milk Project in Armenia
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1 – Commentary
Israeli Paper Says Jewish Groups
Still Blocking Genocide Resolution

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier

The Israeli Haaretz newspaper published last week a lengthy article on the
approval by the House of Representatives of an amendment that prohibited
Turkey from using American aid money to lobby against the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide.
The article provided interesting details about the role that several
Jewish-American organizations continue to play in assisting Turkey to block
the passage of the congressional resolution on the Armenian Genocide.
Reporter Nathan Guttman stated: “The battle to gain recognition of the
Armenian Genocide by the U.S. Congress is transformed annually into a fight
between the small group of Armenian supporters in Congress and the rest of
the world — the Turkish representatives and the lobbyists working on their
behalf, the administration, the supporters of the administration in
Congress, and also several of the large Jewish organizations. …The Jewish
community in the U.S. and the Israel issue are also entwined in the
pressure campaign preventing approval of the [genocide] resolution.”
Guttman quoted “a key Jewish activist in Washington, who like many others
involved in the issue asked to remain off the record,” as confirming that
“The [Jewish] community is certainly a player on this issue.”
Guttman further reported that representatives of Jewish organizations feel
” ‘a sense of discomfort,’ as one described it, when coming to explain
their position on the Armenian resolution. On one hand, the Jews, as a
community, are sensitive to the tragedy experienced by the Armenian people,
but on the other hand, there are Israel-Turkey relations to consider. ‘We
have always had a level of uncertainty regarding the balance that should be
kept between the moral factors and the strategic interests,’ one Jewish
organization official cautiously explained.”
Disclosing the continued involvement of certain Jewish-American
organizations in anti-Armenian lobbying, Guttman wrote: “Last year, Jewish
organizations, primarily the American Jewish Committee (AJC), have been
more active in thwarting the resolution acknowledging the Armenian
Genocide. …A central activist in a Jewish organization involved in this
matter clarified that if necessary, he would not hesitate to again exert
pressure to ensure the resolution is not passed and the Turks remain
satisfied. The same activist said he had received numerous requests in the
past to work against the Armenian cause in Congress. ‘The State Department
asked us, other people in the administration did, even the Turkish Jewish
community asked us to act on this issue,’ he said. The prevailing opinion
among the large Jewish organizations is that ‘Turkey’s relations with the
United States and Israel are too important for us to deal with this
subject,’ according to one [Jewish] community activist who was involved in
blocking Resolution 193 last year.”
Concerning the recent souring of relations between Israel and Turkey,
Guttman wrote: “The Jewish community’s involvement in the issue of the
Armenian Genocide is affected by the status of Israel-Turkey relations. One
senior organizational official related that during the honeymoon years of
Turkish-Israeli ties, the Jewish organizations were more enthusiastic about
openly helping Turkey thwart previous Armenian-related resolutions in
Congress. Now, he adds, since ties have cooled off somewhat, many Jewish
activists are trying to lower their profile in this matter.”
It is a fact that several Jewish-American organizations have been lobbying
for years against the Armenian Genocide Resolution. It is astonishing,
however, that some of these groups continue to express their willingness to
support Turkey in its denial of the Armenian Genocide, even after former
Prime Minister of Turkey, Bulent Ecevit, accused Israel of committing
“genocide” against the Palestinians. The present Prime Minister, Recep
Tayyip Erdogan, recently characterized the Israeli army’s attacks on
Palestinians as an act of “state terrorism.” According to a recent poll,
82% of the Turkish public also agrees that Israel is committing “state
terrorism.”
Despite such statements of condemnation, some Jewish-American
organizations, by continuing to side with Turkey, are in fact supporting
Turkey against Israel. How could any self-respecting Jew continue to do
Turkey’s bidding after the leaders of that country call Israel a terrorist
state and accuse it of committing genocide?
Fortunately, such misguided Jews are in the minority. They are the
dinosaurs of the Jewish-American community and their days are numbered!
Dozens of Jewish-American groups are co-sponsors of the Congressional
Resolution on the Genocide Convention that mentions the Armenian Genocide
as well as the Jewish Holocaust.
Any Jew who lobbies against this Resolution is in fact denying not only the
Armenian Genocide, but also the Jewish Holocaust!
**************************************************************************
2 – Mardikian/Saroyan Banquet
Organized to Benefit Schools
LOS ANGELES – Plans are underway for a very special Memorial Banquet to
honor two remarkable California benefactors, George Mardikian & Souren
Saroyan for their dedication to the Armenian people through ANCHA (American
National Committee to Aid Homeless Armenians). The banquet will be held on
November 14, at the Los Angeles Police Academy.
Louise Mardirossian-Gill will chair the committee along with Vice Chair
Baydsar Clair Thomasian. A special program and a booklet for the event are
in the works.
Proceeds from the event will go to the newly established Mardikian/Saroyan
Endowment Fund for scholarships to the Armenian Parochial schools in Los
Angeles, San Francisco.
“We are forever indebted to the memory of these two great philanthropists
whose vision was to see that Armenians have a better chance in life,” said
an organizing committee member. “We are proud to say that their dream was
realized. Thousands of Armenians who migrated to the United States in the
1940’s and thereafter have prospered and are the blood life of our
communities.
For further information, call Mrs. Mardirossian at (323) 662-9259 or (818)
335-2101.

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3 – Banderas, Saban, Yemenidjian to Chair
Benefit for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES (PRNewswire) – Some of the biggest names in Hollywood are
gearing up to host one of the most important nights this fall: film star
Antonio Banderas, child advocate Cheryl Saban, and MGM Chairman and CEO
Alex Yemenidjian have joined forces to chair the first annual “Noche de
Ninos” (“Children’s Night”), a star-studded benefit for Childrens Hospital
Los Angeles.
Giselle Fernandez-Farrand is executive producing the event, with David
Foster and Humberto Gatica as entertainment producers.
Set for October 2nd at 6:00 p.m. at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, “Noche de
Ninos” will feature entertainment from the evening’s emcee, TV star and
comedian George Lopez, as well as Latin music superstars Marc Anthony,
Alejandro Sanz, and Carlos Baute, dancer Joaquin Cortez, and singer/actress
Renee Olstead. In keeping with the evening’s Latin theme, the menu is being
overseen by celebrated chef Julian Serrano from Picasso at Las Vegas’s
Bellagio Hotel; Serrano will prepare his signature paella. With many of
Hollywood’s elite already slated to attend, the festivities will celebrate
and benefit the Campaign for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, an effort to
raise $500 million for new facilities as well as for endowment, program,
and annual support.
“The work done by Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is humbling,” says
Yemenidjian. “It would be difficult to find a cause more worthy of support.
The work done by the doctors, nurses, and other caregivers at this
extraordinary place is not only of the highest quality, but it is done
without regard to a patient’s ability to pay.”
Founded in 1901, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles has been treating the most
seriously ill and injured children in Los Angeles for more than a century,
and it is acknowledged throughout the United States and around the world
for its leadership in pediatric and adolescent health.
Since 1990, U.S. News & World Report and its panel of board-certified
pediatricians have named Childrens Hospital Los Angeles one of the top
pediatric facilities in the nation.
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4 – ARS Western Region Convention
Elects Four New Members to R.E.
GLENDALE – The 84th regional convention of the Armenian Relief Society of
the Western US, held July 15-18 at the Glendale Hilton Hotel, elected four
new members to its Regional Executive.
The newly elected members are Angela Savoian, Nanik Kupelian, Rita Hintlian
and Maral Nashalian. They replace retiring members Nova Hindoyan, Asdghig
Tejirian, Guitarig Kocharian and Nora Shirikian, whose two-year term had
expired. Seta Hagopian, Araxie Aykanian, Nevart Mouradian and Seta Kojayan
were elected as alternates.
The Convention was attended by 35 delegates from 23 participating chapters,
along with representatives from the ARS Center and Regional Executives,
invited guests and almost 140 observing members. After the Convention, the
Regional Executive elected its officers as follows: Angela Savoian (Chair),
Sona Madarian (vice-chair), Rita Hintlian (secretary), Knar Avedissian
(treasurer). Nanik Kupelian, Vicky Marachelian, Maral Nashalian, Serpouhie
Messerlian and Alice Yeghiayan are the advisors.
One of the first official functions of the new board was meeting with the
administrator of the orphan sponsorship program, who was visiting
California from Armenia.
Administration Anahid Mesrobian visited the ARS Regional Executive
headquarters in Glendale, along with Maro Frounjian of the ARS in Montreal,
and met with ARS Central Executive members Hasmig Derderian and Anahid
Meymarian, current and past member of the ARS Regional Executives and
headquarters staff.
Mesrobian reported on the status of the orphans in Armenia and Artsakh and
their increase in numbers, which will require securing 1,200 new
sponsorships.
The ARS program channels the funds from donors in the Western Region at
$130 per child, to the Central Executive, which in turn forwards the funds
to Armenia for direct distribution to the orphans ($120), who may have lost
either one or both parents.
Mesrobian said that sponsors traveling to Armenia may visit the ARS
Regional Executive offices in Yerevan and request information or set up a
meeting with their sponsored orphans.
Those who are interested in becoming orphan sponsors may contact the ARS of
Western US, at (818) 500-1343.
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5- Armenian-Language Domestic
Violence Hotline Set by YWCA
By Naush Boghossian
L.A. Daily News
GLENDALE — The Glendale YWCA has long served English-language speakers who
have called Los Angeles County’s Domestic Violence Hotline, but it is now
reaching out to Armenians across the county who need their help. Anybody in
the county who calls the hotline — (800) 978-3600 – and chooses to receive
assistance in Armenian will be routed to the YWCA.
The 24-hour hotline, administered by the District Attorney’s Office, struck
a partnership with the Glendale YWCA to take calls in Armenian in an effort
to expand the number of languages the hotline serves.
“We don’t want language to be a barrier when somebody wants assistance. We
want them to be able to contact the hotline regardless of the language they
speak and be able to talk to somebody live who can help them find safety
and shelter,” said Mark Delgado, field deputy for the district attorney’s
bureau of crime prevention and youth services.
The YWCA was selected because the city of Glendale has the largest Armenian
population in the United States.
Lida Soulikhan, the program coordinator for the YWCA’s domestic violence
outreach, said the hotline’s service is very important, because the lack of
English skills is a barrier for immigrants seeking help.
“We know that there is a huge amount of domestic violence, but we have to
bring down that cultural wall,” she said. “The cultural belief for
Armenians stops them from sharing what’s happening within their four walls.
They don’t know these services, but when it’s explained to them in Armenian
it makes a huge difference.”
**************************************************************************
6 – Soghomonian Starts 500 Mile Bike-a-Thon
To Benefit ATG Milk Project in Armenia
FRESNO – Vatche Soghomonian of Fresno and his bicycle are ready once again.
He departed Fresno for Armenia on August 17, and will start the
bike-a-thon on August 21-27, and bike approximately 500 miles throughout
Armenia in altitudes ranging from 2639 – 6200 ft. high.
Through the Bike-a-Thon, Vatche and the Armenian Technology Group, (ATG) a
California-based Public
Benefit Corporation, are targeting to raise $55,971 to purchase four
milk-cooling containers from Tulare, CA, each between 800-1000 gallons and
install them in the villages allowing over 3,000 families to have access to
wholesome milk.
Three thousand families in the rural villages of Armenia currently do not
have access to milk because they lack adequate storage capacity. Without
these containers the milk spoils quickly and sufficient quantities cannot
be kept to satisfy the villages’ needs. According to the Minister of
Agriculture the plan, once implemented, will provide milk to the following:
1. Lori region, Vahakn village- 700 families
2. Shirag region, Akhourian village- 1200 families
3. Arakadsz region, Charinch village- 620 families
4. Davoosh region, Ardzvapert village- 780 families
The milk collection tanks will also serve as an extension for the proposed
Veterinary Central Diagnostic Lab. by having a designated Veterinarian at
each location to monitor the quality of the milk and:
1. Serving as a field station to detect and monitor indigenous and
trans-boundary infectious diseases such as Anthrax, Tuberculoses,
Salmonellae, and Brucellosis, that are transmittable from animals to
humans.
2. Providing Central Diagnostic Laboratory scientists raw data needed to
diagnose and treat diseased animals.
3. Ensuring the animals from which milk is gathered are healthy and safe.
Tax deductible donations could be mailed to ATG, 1300E. Shaw Ave. Suite
149, P.O. Box 5969 Fresno CA 93755.

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Athens Olympics official website
Aug 13 2004

Martirosyan (USA) going for gold

ATHENS, 5 August – American Welter Weight (69kg) Vanes Martirosyan
says he is going for gold in what is the toughest weight division in
the Olympic Games boxing tournament.

But to do so, the Armenian-born boxer will have to get past twice
World Champion Lorenzo Aragon Armenteros (CUB) and Oleg Saitov (RUS),
who is aiming to win his third Olympic gold medal.

At the Athens Olympic Test Event in May, Martirosyan lost to Aragon
Armenteros 36-29 in the semifinal.

But the American says he did not fight his own fight and the Cuban
tried to clinch throughout the bout.

`I am a better boxer than the Cuban and I know I can beat him,’ said
Martirosyan.

Martirosyan was introduced to the sport by his father, Norik, who had
also been an amateur boxer.

He is the third of four children and both his older and younger
brothers have also been involved in boxing.

His trainer, Bobby Lee, says Martirosyan is hard to hit and can score
points.

And he will need to score points if he is drawn against Aragon
Armenteros or Saitov.

The Russian scores well with methodical punching and counterpunching
and has strong defence.

Besides his two Olympic gold medals, Saitov also won the World
Championship in 1997 and two European titles (1998, 2004).

The Russian journalist could write himself into Olympic boxing
history if he wins in Athens.

Interfax
Aug 9 2004

Armenia reduces cut diamond output 17% in H1

Yerevan. (Interfax) – Armenia reduced cut and polished diamond output
in value 17% year-on-year to 63.1 billion dram in the first half of
2004, said Karen Chshmaritian, the country’s trade and economic
development minister.

Output in carats grew, though, on stronger world market demand for
small stones, Chshmaritian said.

Armenia imported 70,000 carats of uncut diamonds from Russia under a
government-to-government agreement in the half. Armenia may import up
to 400,000 carats of uncut diamonds under the deal this year as a
whole.

NKR GOVERNMENT UNDERTAKES STEPS FOR REALIZATION OF PROVISIONS OF LAW
ON NATIONAL CURRENCY

STEPANAKERT, August 6 (Noyan Tapan). The NKR government undertakes
steps for the realization of the provisions of the law “On National
Currency” approved by the NKR National Assembly in late December
2003. NKR Minister of Finances and Economy Spartak Tevosian said about
it in his interview given to the “Azat Artsakh” (“Free Artsakh”)
newspaper. The NKR Minister mentioned that the daily work with foreign
investors, corresponding international including financial structures
is important in the matter of the economic development and
independence of the NKR. According to Spartak Tevosian, the NKR
carries out the actions directed at the provision of the economic
independence of the republic.

AGBU PRESS OFFICE
55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone (212) 319-6383
Fax (212) 319-6507
Email [email protected]
Webpage

PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, August 5, 2004

AGBU SOFIA CHAPTER IN BULGARIA HOSTS XVII AGBU WORLD GAMES

>From five continents around the world, 350 young Armenian athletes,
future leaders and supporters of AGBU journeyed to the sparkling
shores of the Black Sea in Albena, Bulgaria to represent their
respective countries at the XVII AGBU World Games and cohesively form
one united, global AGBU family.

During the week of July 3rd, attendees from Argentina, Austria,
Canada, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Egypt, France, Italy, Lebanon, Spain, Syria
and the United States passed their days competing in sports while
others participated in the first overseas AGBU Young Professionals
conference.

DEVELOPING ARMENIAN YOUTH

AGBU, a staunch advocate for the development of Armenian youth, once
again succeeded in its ongoing mission to empower the young leaders of
tomorrow. The organization achieves this mission through active youth
programs, such as the longstanding summer camps in Bulgaria, France,
Syria and the United States; the New York Summer Intern Program,
established in 1987; Generation Next Mentorship Program, now in its
seventh year; and FOCUS, a biennial event designed to unite global
young Armenian professionals with alumni of AGBU youth programs. In
the same spirit, the AGBU World Games mobilize its youth on the
international stage.

“The Games are not the end product. The purpose of the program is to
propagate and promote an AGBU spirit within our youth so that they may
later take on responsibilities within the Union. The hope of AGBU is
that the youth will assume influential positions in their local
communities and ultimately make an impact on the Armenian community at
large, “commented Hrant Bardakjian, Chairman of the AGBU Central
Sports Committee.

The inaugural AGBU World Games took place in 1955 in Beirut, Lebanon
and since then, the event has been held worldwide, in cities including
Los Angeles, Sydney and Paris. In fact, the positive outcome of these
Games has proved so popular that AGBU Regional Games are now held
regularly in Europe, the Middle East and South America. After hosting
the XI AGBU European Games in 2002, AGBU’s Sofia Chapter
enthusiastically proposed that Bulgaria host the next AGBU World
Games. Led by Chapter Chairperson Sonia Avakian-Bedrosian and working
closely with the AGBU Central Sports Committee, AGBU Sofia, leveraging
all their community resources, delivered to AGBU’s international youth
community an enriching week of athletic competitions and camaraderie.

AGBU IN BULGARIA

Bulgaria, a small country with a population of eight million,
approximately 25,000 to 35,000 of which are Armenian, is situated on
the Balkan Peninsula. The Armenian-Bulgarian community flourished for
centuries economically and culturally, until 1934, when an
authoritarian regime stifled all ethnic expression, triggering the ban
of Armenian political, religious, social, athletic, academic, and
benevolent organizations, including AGBU.

With the fall of communism and rise of democracy in 1989, the
Bulgarian climate improved, prompting significant change in the lives
of local Armenians. However, 45 years of communism had taken its toll
and the AGBU leaders of the community confronted challenges in
reacquainting its community to the organization. Through hard work and
dedication, AGBU reappeared in most major cities (Sofia, Plovdiv,
Rousse, and Haskovo) with a new, fresh emphasis on Armenian culture
and education. To applaud Bulgaria’s commitment to revitalization, the
Union supported its Sofia Chapter’s bid to host the World Games, thus
providing them the important exposure and ties they sought to those
outside their region.

For the AGBU youth of Bulgaria, the opportunity to witness the XVII
AGBU World Games in their home country provided a unique occasion for
them to meet their Armenian contemporaries. “This is really something
exciting. I have never had this feeling before of seeing so many
Armenians in one place. I have made such great friendships and am very
proud to be Armenian,” said Lusine Daduryan, a student from Plovdiv,
Bulgaria.

THE GAMES

Spreading goodwill and welcoming all athletes, AGBU leaders, Bulgarian
dignitaries, clergy, and supporters, the Sofia Chapter kicked off the
Games ceremoniously. Competitors participated in a range of games,
including football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, badminton, table
tennis, chess and swimming.

After a full week of competition, the results were in, the winners
triumphant, and the trophies awarded. Sofia captured the Overall Cup
for winning the most medals at the Games. For respectful conduct and
unrivaled sportsmanship, Karekin Costanian returned home to Cyprus
bearing the Fair Play Cup. In the men’s football division, Cairo
proved victorious in overtime with a final penalty kick to defeat
Nicosia’s renowned Ararat team. Impressing the crowds with their fancy
footwork, the Egyptians participated in the World Games with 41
individuals from both Cairo and Alexandria, the largest
delegation. Beirut’s Antranik basketball team ruled the court by
beating Aleppo’s Al Ouroube team in a professional quality game in
order to win the men’s title, and in women’s basketball Egypt
prevailed, nabbing the gold. The Paris volleyball team captured first
place by winning the finals over Plovdiv. Competitions were also
strong in the singles/doubles sports. For a full listing of the
results, visit

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS CONFERENCE

Complementing the athletic competitions, this year’s World Games
introduced the first overseas AGBU Young Professionals (YP)
Conference. Even though the Union’s YPs have convened in the past,
this conference was the first invitation of its kind to the
international young Armenian professional community outside of North
America.

Conducted over the course of three days in English with simultaneous
Bulgarian and Armenian summary translations, the YP Conference
informed its 40 participants of the current Young Professional
movement within AGBU and how AGBU YPs influence and lead their local
communities through volunteerism, commitment, innovation, expertise,
and above all, professionalism. To date, current YP groups exist in
Beirut, Los Angeles, Geneva, Montreal, New York City, Northern
California, Orange County, and Philadelphia.

“A key goal of the conference was to educate and raise awareness to
young Armenian professionals everywhere that volunteering for the
organization adds new dimensions to their lives and prepares them to
become AGBU leaders of the future,” said Lana Kazangian, AGBU YP
Liaison and conference organizer.

The mission of AGBU YPs, which is to provide an environment for young
Armenians to network, outreach, and give a sense of community through
programs and events created under the auspices of AGBU, converges with
the organization’s mission to preserve and promote the Armenian
identity and heritage. To reinforce YP goals and objectives, two AGBU
YPs from Los Angeles and New York City were present to share best
practices and their personal experiences with volunteerism.

“This international Young Professionals conference was a tremendous
experience and opened my eyes to how Armenians around the world in
similar age ranges thrive in their native countries. The discussion
group I mediated brought to the table the different challenges facing
young Armenians. It is events like this that make our people a nation
despite dispersion and I am thrilled that AGBU has kept vigil to
ensure that Armenians stay connected and make progress,” said Cynthia
Simonian, Chairperson of the YPLA group.

In Europe, where the YP movement still has much opportunity for
growth, Nicolas Tavitian, Director of AGBU European Programs,
confirmed that the demand for YP chapters in Europe is enormous but
untapped. The conference addressed many challenges and through the
open exchange of ideas in workshops and roundtable discussions, the
meetings explored options available to members seeking to initiate YP
groups in their communities. Ms. Kazangian found the results of the
conference encouraging, with YP growth potential cited in Sofia and
Plovdiv, alongside other cities in Europe, the Middle East and South
America. For more information on AGBU YPs, visit the AGBU web site at
or e-mail [email protected].

CROSSING THE FINISH LINE

Since the close of the Games, AGBU Sofia Chairwoman Sonia
Avakian-Bedrosian has been contacted by multiple AGBU Chapters and
members from around the world to express their appreciation for a
superbly executed event. In acknowledgment, Mrs. Bedrosian said that
much of the success of the Games is attributed to the hard work,
commitment and dedication of her Organizing Committee, key sponsors
and supporters within Sofia. She thanked the international members of
the XVII World Games Committee in Canada, France and the United States
for their diligence, as well. “All Committee members experienced
great satisfaction while preparing for the XVII World Games as we feel
that uniting our youth is a very important element in our mission.
Moreover, witnessing our young members forge strong friendships during
the athletic competitions and YP Conferences was a wonderful
reward. We were grateful for the opportunity to host the AGBU family
in Albena and look forward to participating in more global
activities,” Mrs. Bedrosian expressed, reflecting on the Games.

Discussions and bids for the next AGBU World Games in 2006 have
already commenced and since the XVIII World Games is to coincide with
AGBU’s Centennial, all expectations are that it will be a showstopper
not to be missed. To look at more photos or to learn more about the
AGBU World Games, please visit:

AGBU () is the largest international, non-profit Armenian
organization in the world, and is dedicated to preserving and
promoting the Armenian heritage and culture through humanitarian,
educational, cultural and social programs that serve some 400,000
Armenians annually.

Eurasianet Organization
Aug 5 2004

CURRENCY FLUCTUATION CAUSES CONCERN IN ARMENIA
Haroutiun Khachatrian: 8/05/04

Rapid exchange-rate fluctuation, in which the Armenian currency has
significantly strengthened against the US dollar, is a source of
concern in Armenia. Many local economic observers suspect the
country’s currency market is being manipulated by speculators.

Following its introduction in 1993, the Armenian currency, the dram,
steadily declined in value against the US dollar – until this spring.
So far in 2004, the dollar has lost roughly 7 percent of its worth
versus the dram. Whereas early this year the exchange rate stood at
about 563 drams to the dollar, the rate is now hovering at about
520-to-one.

Many economists in Yerevan say there is no sound basis for the dram’s
appreciation, sparking suggestions that artificial pressure is
responsible for the sudden currency rate change. Most believe that
speculators are responsible for the recent fluctuation. The fact that
during a three-day span in mid July the exchange rate went from 520
drams to one US dollar to 495-to-one has helped fuel such suspicion.
The exchange rate shortly thereafter returned to the 520-to-one
level.

Concern about the exchange rate reached such a point that President
Robert Kocharian convened a special session of top government
economic officials to discuss ways to stabilize the dram. Meanwhile,
Central Bank officials said the dram’s appreciation is the result of
a dramatic rise in the influx of US dollars into Armenia. According
to the bank, there are three sources for rapid growth of dollars
circulating in the Armenian economy: an increase in exports; the
growth of the tourist industry; and significantly more cash
remittances coming into Armenia from Armenians living and working
abroad. Remittances have reportedly jumped 40 percent so far this
year over the same period in 2003.

Some economists now suggest Armenia is suffering from a form of
“Dutch disease” in which a country’s economy is overly dependent on
one export commodity, ultimately creating unfavorable exchange rates
that cause other economic sectors in the country to stagnate. In most
cases, those countries that have suffered from “Dutch disease” are
oil-and-gas exporters. In Armenia’s case, the country’s main export
appears to be skilled workers, who find work abroad and then ship
back a portion of their earning to relatives at home. [For background
see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Central Bank chairman Tigran Sargsian, in statements concerning the
exchange rate fluctuation, has downplayed the possibility of
manipulation by speculators. He also has expressed a preference for a
hands-off approach by the Central Bank, adding that, in his view, the
dram’s value is not near a point where it could frustrate exports.

The Central Bank position has been attacked by some economists. In an
interview published July 30 on the Iravunk web site, economist Eduard
Agajanov accused the Central Bank of negligence. In taking no action
on the exchange rate, the bank “forgets that the main goal of central
banks all over the world is to stabilize the currencies of their
countries,” said Agajanov, who formerly headed the State Statistics
Committee.

Agajanov said there were several options open to the Central Bank.
One way to prevent such sudden exchange rate fluctuations, he added,
would be for the Central Bank to increase the money supply to counter
the influx of dollars.

The dram’s sudden and unexpected rise could benefit the government.
The 2004 state budget was calculated on the basis of a dram-dollar
exchange rate in the range of 580-to-one. If the rate remains at
present levels, the government may have a far easier time keeping
spending levels within budgetary projections.

The flip side is that dollar’s loss in value has somewhat damaged
commerce inside the country, and has eroded the savings of many
Armenians. This is because many Armenians have a greater level of
trust in the dollar than in the national currency. A significant
number of business transactions in the country are calculated in
dollars, while roughly two-thirds of Armenian bank account holders
maintain their savings in the US currency. The drop in the dollar’s
value has caused many entrepreneurs to incur losses in recent months.

Some economists, including Agajanov, worry that the lack of Central
Bank action to stabilize the exchange rate may be setting Armenia up
for financial upheaval down the road. They point to the fact that the
amount of remittances coming into Armenia could fall just as fast as
they have risen in recent months, rendering it impossible to rely on
the dram’s current relative strength.

Agajanov predicted that the dram is headed for a crash. “One fine
day, when this [present-day] agitation subsides, the rate of the dram
will suddenly plummet, with all the negative consequences that will
ensue,” he said.

Editor’s Note: Haroutiun Khachatrian is a Yerevan-based writer
specializing in economic and political affairs.

Russian regional leader offers energy cooperation to Armenia

Arminfo
2 Aug 04

YEREVAN

Armenian Deputy Speaker Tigran Torosyan met Komi President Vladimir
Torlopov today. The Russian ambassador to Armenia, Anatoliy Dryukov,
attended the meeting as well.

The press service of the Armenian parliament told Arminfo that at the
meeting Torosyan stressed the importance of establishing and
developing interregional ties and said that trade and economic ties
with the Republic of Komi are promising for Armenia. He hoped that
certain agreements would be reached as a result of the current
visit. The importance of the integration of the Armenians living in
Komi and their status as full members of society was emphasized as
well. Speaking about trade and economic relations, the sides stressed
the importance of resuming the railway link, which would become a
stimulus for developing the economies of the South Caucasus countries.

Torlopov spoke about the existence in Komi of major resources of oil,
gas, coal and other natural resources and expressed his readiness for
direct cooperation with Armenian entrepreneurs. Torlopov stressed the
importance of the parliament’s legislative assistance to the
development of cooperation and exchange of legislative experience. The
sides discussed a number of other issues as well.