Author: Nahapetian Boris

S’African sentenced for Guinea coup try

United Press International
Nov 26 2004

ABIDJAN, Equatorial Guinea, Nov. 26 (UPI) — A court in Equatorial
Guinea has given sentences of up to 34 years to a group of South
Africans and Armenians convicted of trying to overthrow the government.

Voice of America reports that Nick du Toit, a former officer in the
South African special forces, received the longest sentence of those
in custody. Severo Moto, a leader of the Guinean opposition in exile
in Spain, was sentenced in absentia to 63 years, while several of
his exiled aides also got long prison terms.

The group allegedly wanted to oust President Teodoro Obiang Nguema,
who has been in power since 1979, to get a share of the country’s
oil revenues. Equatorial Guinea is Africa’s third-largest oil exporter.

During the sentencing hearing, the court urged prosecutors to continue
their investigation, including the best-known target, Mark Thatcher,
son of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Thatcher, who
lives in South Africa, allegedly paid expenses for the attempted coup.

NBC4.TV, CA
Nov 25 2004

Southland Groups Spread Holiday Cheer
Chicken Chucking And Turkey Dinners Benefit The Less Fortunate

LOS ANGELES — It’s Thanksgiving, and groups around the Southland are
making sure that the less fortunate have some holiday cheer.

In Long Beach, the “Long Beach 5K/10K Turkey Trot & Chicken Chucking
Championship” is holding a walk to benefit the nonprofit Community
Action Team, followed by participants hurling rubber chickens to
raise money for local food bank charities.

Pasadena’s Union Station Foundation is holding its annual
Thanksgiving Dinner-in-the-Park, billed as the “biggest potluck in
the nation.” Volunteers are expected to serve more than 5,000 meals
to the poor, homeless and elderly.

The Los Angeles Police Department, West Valley Pals and Woodland
Hills Optimist Club are hosting a free Thanksgiving dinner at the
Guadalupe Community Center.

In Valley Village, more than 500 men, women and children will enjoy a
traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Needy residents of
the East Valley will receive vouchers provided by Temple Beth Hillel
and distributed by numerous outreach organizations, including Jewish
War Veterans, the East Valley Multi-Purpose Center, Loaves and Fishes
and The Salvation Army, among others.

In Hollywood, Food on Foot will feed and distribute backpacks to the
homeless and poor. For every two 64-pound bags of trash collected
from the streets of Hollywood, Food on Foot will reward individuals
with a $5 food gift certificate from a fast-food restaurant or
grocery store.

In Orange County, the 27th annual Dana Point Turkey Trot will feature
5K, 10K and children’s races; the Orange County Rescue Mission will
serve Thanksgiving dinner in Santa Ana; and Rep. Loretta Sanchez,
D-Garden Grove, Hon. Bishop Jaime Soto and others will join in
serving Thanksgiving dinner to the needy during the 19th annual Casa
Garcia Thanksgiving dinner that owner Frank Garcia serves in the
parking lot of his eatery in Anaheim.

And in Glendale, Armenia Fund Inc. is holding its annual Thanksgiving
telethon, “Make It Happen,” to raise funds to complete the remaining
56 miles of the North-South “Backbone” Highway in Karabakh, Armenia.
Proceeds will also benefit continued assistance in the areas of
health care, education and infrastructure development in the Republic
of Armenia. The 12-hour event will be televised live from Glendale
throughout the United States, South America, the Middle East, Canada
and Armenia.

GibrahayerGIBRAHAYER e-newsletter
[email protected]
http://gibrahaye r.cyprusnewsletter.com

The largest circulation Armenian online e-newsletter on the WWW

AZERBAIJAN’S DIVISIVE CAMPAIGN AT UNITED NATIONS THREATENS TO DERAIL
KARABAGH PEACE PROCESS
ANCA Washington November 23, 2004 The ANCA, today, issued an appeal to
United States Secretary of State Colin Powell urging him to “strenuously and
publicly oppose” an Azerbaijani-sponsored United Nations resolution which
would seriously undermine the Nagorno Karabagh peace process. The action
follows a strongly worded November 19th House floor statement by
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and an earlier
joint letter by the Armenian Caucus Co-chairs calling the resolution
=E2=80=9Cill-advised=E2=80=9D and urging the U.S. take decisive action again=
st the measure.
For m ore info click on=C2=A0

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS TO BAKU FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER THE WAR
“Don’t let the national conscience of the Azerbaijani people be thrown under
the feet of the Armenian Nazis”

24.11.2004=C2=A0 YEREVAN (YERKIR) – The so-called Karabakh Liberation
Organisation (KLO) of Azerbaijan is planning to stage protest demonstrations
against a delegation of Armenian parliamentarians who are scheduled to
participate in Baku in a NATO-sponsored seminar on November 25-27.
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 The organisation’s leader, N akif Agi said his or=
ganisation regrets
that the Azeri authorities, who want to prevent the demonstrations, have a
different stance. But “we will not give up,” Agi said, adding the
demonstrations will be held in almost every part of Azerbaijan.
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 The KLO has also urged the country’s parliament t=
o ban the entry of
the Armenian delegation to Baku. “We call upon you to act in the national
interest. Don’t let the national conscience of the Azerbaijani people be
thrown under the feet of the Armenian Nazis,” the organisation’s message to
the parliament speaker reads.

DASHNAKTSOUTIUN REPRESENTATIVES ATTEND SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL,
WOMEN’S BUREAU
Representatives of the A.R.F. Dashnaktsoutiun participated in Socialist
International’s (SI) Council Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, hosted
by the African National Congress (ANC), Dashnaktsoutiun press service
reported. On November 15 and 16, leaders and delegates from 100 member
parties and organisations from 70 countries, discussed the Council’s main
theme,”The Progressive Agenda:priorities for our movement today”
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 Representing the sole party from the South Caucas=
us, Dashnaktsoutiun
Bureau member and the organisation’s representative in Socialist
International Mario Nalbandian, and Dashnaktsoutiun Armenia member Maria
Titizian, also participated in the three panel debates. Titizian partook in
Socialist International Women’s Bureau meeting: “Women Speak out on The UN
Millennium Development Goals,” which took place November 12 and 13.
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 The Women’s Bureau addressed UN goals, its effect=
s on the eradication
of poverty and hunger, and examined means to developing global partnerships.
At the heart of discussions was the need to promote gender equality and
empower women to occupy Center stage in the development of the human race.
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 The meeting also reviewed increases in gender-bas=
ed violence=E2=80=94from
sexual abuse to systematic rape, forced pregnancies, and continuous
violation of women’s rights. Titizia n had the opportunity to present
Dashnaktsoutiun’s political and social undertakings to empower the women of
Armenia.
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 On the sidelines of the Council, the Dashnak repr=
esentatives were
both able to hold numerous meetings with members of various organisations to
review issues of concern to Armenia and Armenians.

DASHNAK AFFILIATED ORGANISATIONS CONVENE IN BEIRUT

=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 Gibrahayer 24.11.2004:- Delegates from five conti=
nents congregated in
Antelias, Lebanon on November 18 to participate in a three-day conference of
Dashnaktsoutiun-affiliated organizations. Organized by the ARF Bureau, the
conference featured representatives of the Hamazkayin cultural organization,
Homenetmen athletic and scouting organization, and the Armenian Relief
Society.
=C2=A0 Hagop Der Khatchadourian of the ARF Bureau, Maro Minassian of the ARS
Central Executive, Karnig Megerdichian of the Homenetmen Central Executive,
and Megerdich Megerdichian of the Hamazkayin Central Executive opene d the
session with individual remarks, which were followed by a speech delivered
by ARF Bureau representative Hrant Markarian, who stated, “to tap into our
country’s full potential, we must work as a united entity.”
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 Cyprus was also represented at the convention. Ha=
mazkayin Cyprus
“Oshakan” Chapter was represented by its Chairman Arto Tavitian, AYMA – as
the youngest HMEM member – was represented by Adour Karageulian, Nareg
Tavitian, Stepan Costanian and Hagop Manougian, and The Armenian Relief
Society was represented by its Chairperson Vera Tavitian.
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 The delegation returned to Cyprus on Monday.
=C2=A0=C2=A0 This corner is reserved for local artist Tatiana Ferahian’s com=
ic strips
which are amalgamations of Armenian-Cypriot social commentaries, painted
with her usual wry and ironic humour, to stimulate and encourage awareness
and interest toward our community’s everyday happenings.

EDITORIAL
Dear Friends & Colleagues:
Greetings to you all!
Allow me to share with you today my second article on the EU & Turkey
entitled Turkey: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow that you might perhaps find
informative. It is being posted on my website, as well as on other
hyperlinked sites relating to Turkey, Armenia and the Caucasus.
This topic is becoming quite a hot one – certainly until 17 December 2004
when the EU Council of Ministers decides whether to endorse the recent
Report of the Commission.
As ever,
Dr. Harry Hagopian, LL.D

TURKEY: Yest erday, Today & Tomorrow
Some commentators have recently opined that Turkey’s adhesion to the EU
would constitute a message of hope, peace, prosperity and democracy. I
welcome hope, peace, prosperity and democracy, and I hail those lofty ideals
anywhere in our broken and polarised world. Nor, for that matter, am I
impermeable toward Turkish membership of our European Union.
However, I simply cannot accept such membership that is spun at the expense
of another people or their history.
You can view the complete article at the following link:

NEWS IN BRIEF
* One state, seven private higher schools and five technical secondary
schools operate in Nagorno Karabakh today. A total of 5,200 students study
there, 3,600 of them study at the Artsakh State University.

* The statistics service of Karabagh has reported that the population of the
Republic counts 146,600.

* An Azeri officer who killed his fellow Armenian officer Gurgen Margarian
with an ax at a Budapest military academy pleaded guilty in court on
Tuesday, saying he took revenge for Armenian attacks on Azeris.

* Olympiakos Nicosia’s recovery looked perkier as they ousted a 1-0 victory
away to Dighenis Morphou with Armenian international Romik Kachadryan
scoring the only goal with a powerful free-kick.

* 30 Armenian citizens, who do not have Russian registration, will be
expelled from the Krasnodar region of Russia according to the decision of
the local court.

* There are 296 HIV cases in Armenia, 280 of whom are Armenian citizens.
Among the infected, 217 are men and 63 women. Four of the patients are
parents.

* Armenian national security officers tracked down and arrested a
42-year-old Yerevan resident who made a false warning about a terrori st
attack in one of the biggest secondary schools in downtown Yerevan on
November 19, forcing the school management and police to evacuate the
students and teachers.

THE CD OF THE WEEK
Mal Barsamian’s FIRST SOLO CD – In Time For Christmas!
Many people say that Mal Barsamian is one of the most versatile Armenian
musicians performing today. Indeed this new recording displays those given
talents. Performing for the first time on CD with his father, Leo Barsamian
(oud), Mal performs clarinet, oud, guitar, alto sax, and dumbeg on this
exciting Armenian dance album. Accompanied on several tracks by Bruce
Gigarjian (guitar) and Ron Tutunjian (dumbeg). Over 60 minutes of non-stop
Armenian dance music by one of the finest musicians performing today.
Contact [email protected]

TATIANA @ EKATE
The EKATE exhibition that opened on 15th of November 2005, at Melina Mercuri
Hall and Famagusta Gate, in Nicosia, was a huge success, featuring works of
more than 120 artists from all over Cyprus, including local Armenian artists
Mariam Foukara, and our very own Tatiana Ferahian, pictured here with the
Interior Minister Mr Andreas Christou. The show runs until the 29th of
November, make sure you don’t miss it.!

g i b r a h a y=C2=A0 =C2=A0 c a l e n d a r

* Cyprus Amateur Football League AYMA vs Coopers at Synikismos 3 Football
Ground (behind the Falcon School) on Saturday 27 November at 2:30 p.m.

* The literary group of The Hamazkayin “Oshagan” Cyprus Chapter is
organising a lecture about the great novelist PAULO=C2=A0 COELHO at 8:00 p.m=
. on
Wednesday 1 December 2004 at the “Vahram Utudjian” Hall of=C2=A0 The Armenia=
n
Prelacy of Cyprus. The lecturer will be the translator of Coelho’s popular
novel “The Alchemist”, Khachig Mouradian, who accompanied=C2=A0 Coelho on hi=
s
recent visit to Armenia. A very interesting lecture, accompanied by
audiovisual material. After the lecture, those who want to take part in an
informal dinner at AYMA, may ring Yura Simonian on 22499889 by Tuesday 30
November 2004.

* STILL ON 8th Exhibition of Armenian Books, under the auspices of
Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian, organised by the Armenian Prelature of
Cyprus, with the participation of Moufflon Bookstore. You can visit the
Exhibition every day from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. except
weekends. The exhibition will also travel to La rnaca and Limassol.

* Armenian Relief Society “Sosse” Chapter Fund Raising Tea for the ARS
Armenia Projects on Sunday 28 November, 2004 at The Holiday Inn Hotel at
4:00 p.m. Our children will participate in a Fashion Show by GRANT. There
will be Handicraft, Lebanese cookies and home-made delicacies on sale.
Proceeds to the “Sosse” Kindergarten of Stepanakert – Republic of Karabagh.

* Cyprus Dart Championships. AYMA is participating in the Cyprus Dart League
with matches being played every Thursday at AYMA.

* AYF Badanegan Miaoutian get-togethers take place on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
at AYMA. Contact Vartoog Karageulian on 24-659245.

* AYMA Chicco Football practices take place every Friday from 7:00 – 8:30
p.m for children starting from the age of 7. Contact Krikor Mahdessian on
99650897.

* AYMA Table Tennis practices take place every Saturday from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m
under the expert guidance of ex-Cyprus Champion Sirvart Costanian. Classes
and practice session for all ages.

* AYF meetings every Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. at AYMA

*AYMA Football team practices are taking place every Thursday at 9:00 p.m.
A.Y.M.A. will be participating in the Second Division Amateur Football
League and will be bidding for the Championship Title and subsequent
promotion to Division One. The Championship begins on Saturday November 27,
2004.

* Marie Louise Kouyoumdjian sings @ Champs every Friday at at 9:30 p.m. For
reservations call 22873888.

* Bible Study Group organised by The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus. The Group
meets at the Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church on Armenia street, Nicosia. To
receive further details please call Father Momik Habeshian on 99 307966 or
at the Prelature office on 22 493560 email [email protected] The next
meeting is on Wednesday 24 November at 7 p.m.

* The English School Old Boys and Girls Association is holding its 2004
Annual General Meeting at the ClubHouse on Wednesday December 8 at 7:00 p.m.
A reception will follow. Contact Yiannos Ioannou on 22316861 email
[email protected]

* AYMA Annual Ball at Hilton Park on January 8, 2005 featuring ANDRE.
Reservations a MUST! Book early.

* Armenian Radio Hour on The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation can be heard
via real audio on . Broadcast times 17:00-18:00 local Cyprus
time (14:00-15:00 GMT) New s bulletins a t 17:15 local time on Sundays,
Tuesdays, Fridays. Armenian Cypriots can also tune in on the following radio
frequencies 91.1 FM (Mount Olympus – for Nicosia listeners) 94.2 FM
(Paralimni/Protaras/Agia Napa) 92.4 FM (Larnaca) 96.5 FM (Paphos).

* The Armenian Prelature announces that the next permit for the Armenian
Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green line, is scheduled for
Sunday 28 November,2004

* Pentataktylos – Halevka – Buffavento Castle Cycle Ride by MICROMANIA.
Sunday November 28, 2004. Meeting point: Ledra Palace, Turkish checkpoint
Meeting Time: 9.00 am – Bus leaves : 9.30 am – Arrival at Besparmak
Restaurant: 10.30 am – Riding tim e: 2.5 hours – Riding distance: 16 or 28
km (two routes) Bring with you: passport, water, helmet. Cost of bus and
food: approx =C2=A38:00 per person. Bus leaves Besparmak: 2.30 pm. Bus arriv=
es
back: approx 3.30 pm. Level of competence: average Age limit: 12 + Contact
Baret (Duke) Bedelian on 22-661517

* Every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. (Cyprus time +2 GMT) on CyBC’s Trito, Puzant
Nadjarian presents the “History of the Blues”. You can also hear it on Real
Audio from the Internet edition of CyBC on A repeat program
can also be heard seven hours later at 2:00 a.m. local time.
* Listen to Hairenik Association’s online Armenian Radio Station. A variety
of Armenian music online, 24 hours a day, combined with news and other
interesting information about the Armenian community in the US, Armenia,
Artsakh, Javakhk and the Armenian Diaspora.
=C2=A0 24 Hours of non-stop armenian music and programs on the internet
. . . . . News . . . . . ANC hour . . . . . Song dedications . . . . . Youth
discussions . . . . . Game Shows . . . . . Interviews . . . . . Religious
programs . . . . . Cultural programs . . . . . History . . . . .

Launch Hairenik Radio in your preferred Player,launch Hairenik in your life

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Armenian Speaker upbeat on meeting Council of Europe commitments

Mediamax news agency
24 Nov 04

Yerevan, 24 November: Armenia is planning to fulfil all of its
commitments to the Council of Europe, the speaker of the Armenian
National Assembly, Artur Bagdasaryan, said in an annual report to
the parliament today.

Mediamax’s parliament correspondent has quoted Bagdasaryan as saying
that Armenia has already fulfilled over 90 per cent of its commitments
to the Council of Europe. He highly valued the work of the Armenian
parliamentary delegation at the PACE Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe headed by the vice-speaker of the parliament ,
Tigran Torosyan.

Bagdasaryan said that Armenia would hold a referendum on amendments
to the Constitution next year.

Exxon spurns BP’s pipeline in favour of trains
By Carl Mortished, International Business Editor

The Times, UK
Nov 25 2004

AFTER billions of dollars and billions of headaches, BP’s mammoth
project to pipe oil from the Caspian to the Mediterranean is almost
complete but ExxonMobil will not use it. It is too expensive, the
Americans say.

ExxonMobil is ignoring BP’s new pipe and, instead, has chosen to
export its Caspian oil via rail tankers to a Black Sea port.

BP was quick to insist that Exxon’s decision would not hurt the
economics of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) link. Exxon speaks for 8
per cent of BP’s Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli offshore Caspian oilfield but
the American penny-pinching is as much a political embarrassment as
a financial blow to BP.

A decade ago Washington threw its diplomatic weight behind a project
that was once dismissed as foolish and dangerous: a 1,760km steel
pipe linking oilfields offshore of Baku to a Turkish Mediterranean
port. Passing through the troubled Georgian republic and skirting
Armenia, BTC is a political statement as well as infrastructure: a
route for Central Asian oil to reach Western markets without touching
Russian soil.

The American oil giant confirmed that it had signed a five-year
contract with Azpetrol to ship 10 million tonnes of oil by rail from
Baku to Batumi. “There was a cost issue and we signed with Azpetrol
for competitive reasons,” said an Exxon spokesman.

The complexity of Caucasian politics has dogged the BTC project,
which has also had to fend off campaigning by environmental groups
determined to make an example of BP’s project. The pipeline rises
from sea level to 2,800 metres and passes through national parks.

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

23 November 2004

Minister Oskanian Receives Ruud Lubbers of UNHCR

On 22 November, Foreign Minister Oskanian received Ruud Lubbers,
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) who is in Yerevan as part
of a regional visit.

This first visit of the High Commissioner to the region is aimed at
obtaining first-hand knowledge about the situation of refugees and
respective national policies.

The parties discussed programs and actions aimed at addressing the
issues of refugees in Armenia. Minister Oskanian highly appreciated
UNHCR activities in Armenia since 1992 and expressed hope that
the Field Office will continue to be actively involved in all
refugee-related initiatives of the Armenian government.

Upon Mr. Lubbers’ request, Minister Oskanian briefed him on social
and legal issues of ethnic Armenians who fled Azerbaijan in the
course of Nagorno Karabagh conflict and Armenian government’s refugee
integration policies.

The Minister specifically referred to the naturalization process
and stressed that unlike Azerbaijan, where the refugees continue to
live in tents, Armenia’s authorities from the very first day embarked
upon addressing the issues of the refugees and have been effectively
addressing their housing, naturalization and employment needs.

At the end of the meeting, Minister Oskanian and Ruud Lubbers signed
a cooperation agreement between the Government of the Republic of
Armenia and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Information Note: Ruud Lubbers was elected the 9th UNHCR High
Commissioner in January 2004. He started his political career in 1973
as Minister of Economy of the Netherlands, and held the position
of the Prime Minister in 1982-1994. On this regional visit, he is
accompanied by Raymond Hall, Director of UNHCR Bureau for Europe.

Armenian food fest a tasteful treat

Published in the Asbury Park Press 11/21/04
By KAREN SUDOL, STAFF WRITER

LONG BRANCH — Armenian food holds a special place in Janice Werner’s
heart.

Having grown up eating the dishes prepared by her Armenian mother,
the Neptune resident said she has learned to make some of them,
including baklava.

But every year she comes to a place that offers her a wide variety of
popular Armenian delicacies to sample: St. Stepanos Armenian Church’s
food festival.

“Every culture has its own foods,” she said. “I love my foods.”

Yesterday, the Women’s Guild sponsored the 16th annual food festival
in the Sirvart and Kevork Hovnanian hall of the church on Ocean Avenue
in Elberon.

The festival, which includes hot foods, baked goods, take out items
and a white elephant sale, continues today.

Visitors have a choice of four main dishes and/or numerous sides
at varying prices. The popular choice — as they always seems to
be — are the lamb shanks, braised shank marinated in savory herbs,
vegetables and wine.

But the cheese boereg (light and flaky cheese-filled pastry), hummus
(pureed chick-peas with tahini) and yalanchi sarma (grape leaves
stuffed with rice, pine nuts and herbs) were also big sellers.

The church also offers desserts including pakhlava (flaky dough layered
with light syrup) prepared by church member Krikor Toufayan, formerly
of Toufayan Bakeries, a leader in the pita bread industry. Toufayan
is retired but makes the pastries in the church’s kitchen specifically
for the event.

Each year, the festival event draws about 600 people over the two days,
said event co-chairwoman Arpie Nakashian, of Jackson. It is the biggest
fund-raiser of the year for the church, raising about 10 percent of the
church’s revenue, said event chairwoman Sossie Najarian, of Middletown.

“It’s not done strictly for the Armenian community,” said Najarian. “We
incorporate the whole area,” adding that visitors from throughout
the Tri-State Area attend.

“They learn about our culture and enjoy a pleasant time with our good
food,” she added.

Preparation begins in September and the event requires about 60
volunteers, with five cooks in the kitchen at any given time during
the two days, said Nakashian. The dishes are labor-intensive.

Many people nowadays don’t have the time to experiment with cooking
the recipes, which can be involved and time-consuming, said Araxy
Gokberk, who chairs the Women’s Guild.

“This is a treat,” said Gokberk, of Asbury Park. “People love to come
and taste the different foods.”

At mid-afternoon yesterday, David Aynejian, of Hazlet, was seated
enjoying a sample of the dishes. Having heard about the event from
an e-mail he received, he came because he wanted good Armenian food,
he said.

“In this part of the state, there aren’t that many Armenian
restaurants. There’s only one I know of,” he said.

Takeout is also available, including ingredients like red lentils to
make some of the dishes.

PACE MAKES DECISION ON CONTINUATION OF MONITORING OVER SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20. ARMINFO. Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe regrets that, more than a decade after the armed hostilities
started, the conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region remains
unsolved. Hundreds of thousands of people are still displaced and
live in miserable conditions. Considerable parts of the territory
of Azerbaijan are still occupied by Armenian forces, and separatist
forces are still in control of the Nagorno- Karabakh region, it is
said in the PACE draft resolution prepared by PACE Rapporteur for
Nagorny Karabakh David Atkinson.

According to the document, the Assembly expresses its concern that
the military action, and the widespread ethnic hostilities which
preceded it, led to large-scale ethnic expulsion and the creation
of mono-ethnic areas which resemble the terrible concept of ethnic
cleansing. The Assembly reaffirms that independence and secession of a
regional territory from a state may only be achieved through a lawful
and peaceful process based on democratic support by the inhabitants
of such territory, and not in the wake of an armed conflict leading
to ethnic expulsion and the de facto annexation of such territory
to another state. The Assembly reiterates that the occupation of
foreign territory by a member state constitutes a grave violation of
that state’s obligations as a member of the Council of Europe, and
reaffirms the right of displaced persons from the area of conflict
to return to their homes safely and with dignity.

Therefore, the Assembly urges both governments to refrain from using
armed forces against each other as well as from propagating military
action. The Assembly calls on the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs to take
immediate steps to conduct speedy negotiations for the conclusion
of a political agreement on the cessation of the armed conflict,
the implementation of which will eliminate major consequences of
the conflict for all parties and permit the convening of the Minsk
Conference. The Assembly calls on the government of Azerbaijan
to establish contacts with the political representatives of
both communities from the Nagorno-Karabakh region regarding the
future status of the region. The Assembly condemns any expression
of hatred portrayed in the media of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The
Assembly calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to foster reconciliation,
confidence-building and mutual understanding among their peoples
through schools, universities and the media. The Assembly resolves
to continue monitoring on a regular basis the peaceful resolution of
this conflict and decides to revert to considering this issue at its
first part-session in 2006.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe refers to its
Resolution :. (2005) on the conflict dealt with by the OSCE Minsk
Conference and recommends that the Committee of Ministers: i. urge the
parties concerned to comply with the United Nations Security Council
Resolutions 822 (1993), 853 (1993), 874 (1993) and 884 (1993), in
particular by refraining from any armed hostilities and by withdrawing
military forces from all occupied territories of Azerbaijan; report
to the Assembly on the efforts undertaken by member states for the
peaceful settlement of the conflict in accordance with the Resolutions
of the United Nations Security Council including whether member states
refrain from the supply of any weapons and munitions which might lead
to an intensification of the conflict or the continued occupation
of territory in violation of Resolution 853 (1993) of the United
Nations Security Council; allocate resources for specific training
programmes for teachers and journalists from both countries aimed at
better mutual understanding, tolerance and reconciliation.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Nov 19 2004

UN COMMITTEE HIGHLY VALUES AZERBAIJAN GOVERNMENT’S PERIODIC REPORT
[November 19, 2004, 13:05:55]

On the base of the Executive Order of the President of Azerbaijan of
22 June 2002 on preparation of the report on implementation by the
Republic of Azerbaijan of the `International Pact of Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights’ the country joined on 21 July 1992, the second
periodic report of the Government was submitted to the UN Committee
on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on 5 May 2003, it was
announced by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Azerbaijan.

The report was considered at the 33rd session of the Committee in
Geneva on 16-17 November 2004. According to Presidential Executive
Order, the Republic of Azerbaijan was represented here by the
delegation headed by first Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan
Khalaf Khalafov.

Speaking at the session, he presented detailed information on the
work done in the country for protection of economic, social and
cultural rights and relevant achievements gained since submission of
the fist report.

The Committee welcomed the inclusion of top-ranking government
officials in the delegation and highly valued its members’
irrefragable answers to the questions raised.

In the course of the visit, Mr. Khalafov also met with Director
General of the UN’s Geneva office Mr. S. Ordzhonikidze, High
Commissioner Mrs. Arbour, President of the International Committee of
the Red Cross Mr. Kellenberger and Foreign Minister of Belarus Mr.
Martynov. The meetings were focused on the settlement of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, human rights
protection in Azerbaijan, bilateral cooperation other issues.

Armenia will only benefit from good relations with Turkey – envoy

ANS TV, Baku
19 Nov 04

[Presenter] The newly-appointed Turkish ambassador to Azerbaijan,
Turan Morali, has stated once again that his country attaches great
significance to peace in the Caucasus. He said that in order to
achieve peace, Armenia should take more steps.

[Turan Morali, speaking in Turkish in his office] If good-neighbourly
relations are established in the region, opportunities for all
countries will expand greatly, available opportunities will be
immense. Armenia will greatly benefit from this. But the Armenian
leadership and the Armenian diaspora should see correctly where the
real benefit is and take decisive steps in this direction. We very
much want the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict to find a fair solution
that will suit Azerbaijan. But Armenia plays a significant role in
finding such a solution. They have to be able to demonstrate their
leadership skills and will.