Author: Nalbandian Eduard

WASHINGTON MEETINGS CONTINUE

National Assembly of RA (press release), Armenia
Sept 7 2005

The Cities of USA and Armenia to Cooperate

At the meeting of the leadership of US “Sister Cities International”
international organization and NA President Artur Baghdasaryan issues
of cooperation development between the cities and regions of Armenia
and USA were discussed. During the meeting an agreement was reached
to organize a joint international conference in Yerevan in spring
in 2006, in which representatives and responsible persons of USA
will participate.

As the Director of the membership of the organization and on Affairs of
Inter-state Relations thinks the establishment of regional relations
will give good and perspective opportunities of the development of
social-economic, educational, cultural and other spheres for the
cities of Armenia.

“Habitat for Humanity” Organization and National Assembly to Continue
the Cooperation

During the meeting of the Vice President of “Habitat for Humanity”
organization and Director of Europe and Asia Department and NA
President Artur Baghdasaryan issues related to the assistance of
providing the vulnerable families with flats with the project of
“Habitat for Humanity” organization were discussed.

The joint program carried out recently by the National Assembly and
“Habitat for Humanity” organization in the village Kharberd of Ararat
marz was highlighted. It will be continued in the future in Maralik
and Gyumri towns. An agreement was reached to expand the cooperation
on assisting the vulnerable families with house construction.

A New Armenian Church to Be Built in Washington

NA President Artur Baghdasaryan visited St. Mary Armenian Apostolic
Church in Washington.

During the Church Council issues pertaining to the activity of
Washington diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church were discussed,
in particular the construction of the church worth about 8m USD being
built in future in the capital of USA was highlighted. The construction
will be started next year.

Meeting at RA Embassy

At the Armenian Embassy in the USA Artur Baghdasaryan, NA President,
met with the representatives of the Armenian community. During the
meeting-reception, which attended a great number of American Armenians,
issues of political, social-economic developments taking place in
Armenia and Armenia-Diaspora were discussed. During the meeting Artur
Baghdasaryan answered the numerous questions of those present.

The Young Blind Students to Be Trained in USA

Within the framework of the visit a meeting with Peter de Mayo,
President of US “Transparency International” Blinds’ Association
was held. The problems of cooperation with the Association of the
Armenian Blinds were discussed, and an agreement was reached on
the issues of training of the Armenian blind young students in USA,
as well as technical assistance and other issues.

RUPEL TO CONVEY ALIYEV’S MESSAGE TO KOCHARIAN

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|19:12:18 | 06-09-2005 | Politics |

During today’s joint press conference with Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian OSCE Chairman-in-Office Dimitrij Rupel reiterated that he
is to convey Ilham Aliyev’s message to Robert Kocharian.

When asked what kind of message it is Mr. Rupel said, “Presently I
cannot say anything. I’ll do it during the meeting with the Armenian
President”. He also noted that the closing of positions of Armenia
and Azerbaijan on Nagorno Karabakh is evident. “Though the positions
are close at the principal level they differ in details”, he noted.

In his turn Vartan Oskanian noted that “real problems will begin when
details are revealed. The journalists asked when the negotiations
within the Minsk Group format will start and when Karabakh will be
able to act as a party to conflict. Omitting the second part of the
question Mr. Rupel said, “The Minsk Group is lively, active and is
awaiting the Presidents’ instructions. The Co-Chairs also suggest
new ideas. Vartan Oskanian in his turn said, “When the President’s
proceed to details the necessity of restoration of the Minsk process
will arouse and at this stage Karabakh will join the negotiations.”

When asked by a foreign journalists whether the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
oil pipeline will impact on the Armenia-Azerbaijan negotiations,
Vartan Oskanian said, “I hope that Azerbaijan’s confidence will be
limited to economic development.”

When one of the Armenian reporters asked whether the outcome of the
referendum on constitutional amendments can influence the negotiation
process D. Rupel said that the constitutional reforms are carried
out with good intentions and proceed in the correct direction.”

TAJIK MINISTER OBSERVES CIS AIR DEFENCE DRILL IN RUSSIA

Asia-Plus news agency website
30 Aug 05

Dushanbe, 30 August: Today Tajik Defence Minister Sherali Khayrulloyev
is attending the final stage of the joint exercise of the CIS
Integrated Air Defence System called Combat Commonwealth-2005, which
is being held at the Russian Ashuluk military range, a source at the
Tajik Defence Ministry has told Asia-Plus.

It will be recalled that formations and units from the air defence
troops and air forces of the four CIS countries – Armenia, Belarus,
Russia and Tajikistan – are taking part in the exercise.

The surface-to-air missile battalion of the Tajik air defence forces
is representing Tajikistan in the exercise.

[Passage omitted: Known details of the exercise]

ARMENIAN PREMIER TO LEAD ARMENIAN DELEGATION AT 60TH MEETING OF UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

ARKA News Agency
Aug 30 2005

YEREVAN, August 30. /ARKA/. RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan is
to lead the Armenian delegation at the 60th meeting of the UN General
Assembly in New York, USA RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan told
a press conference. He pointed out that the meeting will focus
on UN reforms. According to him, the RA Prime Minister and the
RA Foreign Minister are to make speeches at the meeting. “Armenia
support comprehensive reforms of the UN, which includes issues of
expansion of the UN Security Council. In this respect Armenia support
permanent and non-permanent membership, but at the same time believes
that such important changes must only be made with the consent of the
overwhelming majority of the UN member-states, without any compulsion,”
Oskanyan said. P.T.

ITAR-TASS, Russia
Aug 28 2005

Armenia says meeting with Aliyev on Karabakh was `positive’

KAZAN, August 27 (Itar-Tass) — Armenian President Robert Kocharyan
and Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev conferred for about two hours
in Kazan on Saturday in a bid to find a solution to the Karabakh
conflict that has been the cause of confrontation between the two
countries since the beginning of the 1990s.

Confidentiality is one of the conditions of the Karabakh talks, and
neither side has disclosed the details of the negotiations or
agreements.

However Kocharyan’s spokesman, Viktor Sogomonyan, said, `The Armenian
side assesses the meeting in Kazan positively and considers it a
positive development in the negotiating process.’

He said the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers, who also took
part in the meeting, will `continue the work based on the agreements
reached in Kazan’.

Also participating in the meeting were the co-chairmen of the OSCE
Minsk Group, Yuri Merzlyakov of Russia, Bernar Facier of France, and
Thoman Mann of the United States.

ARMENIAN YOUNG WEIGHTLIFERS PERFORM SUCCESSFULLY IN EUROPEAN
CHAMPIONSHIP

SOFIA, 26 AUGUST, NOYAN TAPAN: In Sofia, capital of Bulgaria, the
representatives of Armenia successfully performed at the European
Youth championship of weightlifting. Tigran Martirosian, in 69kg
weight category, won the first place and became European champion. In
the jerk exercise he showed 140kg, in clean and jerk – 167,5kg, and in
clean and jerk combination – 307,5kg result.

During the competitions Tigran made 6 European youth records. He won a
big gold medal designed for a winner. Besides, T.Martirosian was
handed over the gold sign of the European Weighlifting Federation. In
the same 69kg weight category Aram Andrikian won the 3rd place having
the bronze medal. Among the Armenian weightlifters Davit Muradian
(56kg weight category) won the 2nd place, and Ruben Mamoyan (50kg) won
the 3rd place. They were awarded respectively silver and bronze
medals. On August 26, the last day of the championship, 2 more
representaives of Armenia will perform in 77kg and 85kg weight
categories. In Sofia the girls of Armenia also distinguished with
their performances. Meline Galstian won the first place in 58kg weight
category and got awarded the gold medal of European champion. Anna
Govelian was recognized as the third winner in 46kg weight category
and got awarded a bronze medal.

Fresno State News, CA
Aug 26 2005

University Lecture Series will kick off with health advocate Dr. Art
Ulene on Sept. 13

The University Lecture Series at California State University, Fresno
will present seven guest speakers in health, the arts, literature and
the environment in 2005-06. Speakers will include Dr. Art Ulene,
Sergio Arau and Yareli Arizmendi, Joyce Carol Oates, Alfie Kohn, Dr.
Patrick Moore, Dr. Edward Diener and Nouritza Matossian.

The programs will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Satellite Student Union,
2485 E. San Ramon. Free parking will be available in Lots J, O and P
beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Preventive health advocate and radio-TV personality Dr. Art Ulene
will start the series on Tuesday, Sept. 13 by addressing `The
Vitality Challenge: Rx for Health.’ Since 1975, Ulene has spearheaded
the use of television to promote public health. He appeared on NBC’s
`Today’ program for 23 years, and his nationally syndicated special
health series are seen on local TV news programs around the country.

His lecture is co-sponsored by the High Point Foundation and the
College of Health and Human Services at Fresno State. Ulene also will
be the keynote speaker at the conference of childhood obesity
sponsored by the College of Health and Human Services on Sept. 14.

On Oct. 11, the University Lecture Series and the Central Valley
Cultural Heritage Institute will co-sponsor MTV Award Winning
director Sergio Arau and acclaimed actress Yareli Arizmendi. The
husband and wife are co-creators of the politically charged
masterpiece `A Day without a Mexican.’ Arau and Arizmendi’s
multimedia lecture will explore topical news with a Latino point of
view.

Their topic is `Making the Invisible Visible: The Task of the
Artist.’ The lecture will be in conjunction with the First Annual
Diversity Conference, `Culture and Community Building: Transformative
Practices,’ on Oct. 11 at Fresno State.

On Nov. 1, the University Lecture Series, the English Department at
Fresno State and the San Joaquin Literacy Association will host
author Joyce Carol Oates. Oates is one of America’s most versatile
writers and author of a number of distinguished books in several
genres. John Gardner has called her `one of the greatest writers of
our time.’ Her address is entitled `An Evening With Joyce Carol
Oates: A Selection of Readings with Commentary.

Alfie Kohn, who has written for most leading education periodicals,
will speak on Feb. 7 about `Overhauling the Transmission Model.’ Time
magazine described him as `perhaps the country’s most outspoken
critic of education’s fixation on grades and test scores.’ His books
include `What Does It Mean to be Well Educated?’ (2004).

On Feb. 28, the lecture series will host Dr. Patrick Moore, who will
addresses `Environmentalism for the 21st Century.’ Moore has been a
leader in the international environmental field for more than 30
years and is one of the founding members of Greenpeace. He says there
is ineffective communication between special interest groups and the
business community and seeks to reveal the myths and misinformation
that distort environmental debates. In 1991, he founded Greenspirit,
a consultancy focusing on environmental policy and communications.

The University Lecture Series and The High Point Foundation will
present Fresno State alumnus Dr. Edward Diener and his address on the
`Science of Happiness’ on April 4. Diener, a professor of psychology
at the University of Illinois, was called `Dr. Happiness’ by Time
magazine in January 2005. He is the editor of the Journal of
Happiness Studies and author of 180 publications, most in the area of
subjective well-being. He has received several awards, including the
2000 distinguished alumni award from Fresno State.

The final program will be held on April 18 as the lecture series, in
cooperation with the Gorky Festival which is sponsored by the Fresno
Art Museum and the Armenian Museum, present Nouritza Matossian. Her
topic is `A Case of Mistaken Identity: Why Arshile Gorky Changed His
Name.’ Matossian is a British writer, actress, broadcaster and human
rights activist in the arts, contemporary music and history of
Armenia.

The University Lecture Series is sponsored by the Office of the
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the University
Student Union, Associated Students Inc., Coke and James Hallowell,
KJWL Radio, KVPR Radio and Piccadilly Inn Hotels.

Season and advance individual tickets are available at the University
Student Union Information Desk (278-2078). Season tickets are $50
general admission; $35 Fresno State faculty/staff/Alumni
Association/seniors/other students; and $10 Fresno State students.

Individual tickets are $10 general admission; $6 Fresno State
faculty/staff/Alumni Association/seniors/other students; and $2
Fresno State students. Prices on the day of the event increase by $2
for all buyers except Fresno State students.

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
August 26, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]

ASSEMBLY GEARS UP FOR ANNUAL TRUSTEES MISSION TO ARMENIA, KARABAKH

Washington, DC – The Assembly is leading its 10th Trustee Mission to
Armenia and Karabakh, a unique 12-day trip that includes expert guided
tours in and around Armenia and meetings with top U.S., Armenia and
Karabakh government officials.

This year’s excursion begins October 19 in London, England, where
Mission Leader Annie Totah will greet travelers before departing for
Yerevan. Once in Armenia, participants will take a driving tour of
the capital, stopping along the way to take in their surroundings.
Additional tour stops will include the Genocide Museum and Memorial at
Tsitsernakabert, Khor Virab, Lake Sevan and Vernisage. During an
optional two-day trip to Karabakh, travelers can also visit
Stepanakert, Shushi and other sites around the country.

Mission participants will also meet with several high-ranking
government officials. In previous years, the group has met with
Armenia’s President Robert Kocharian, Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
and Karbakah’s President Arkady Ghoukasian, to name a few.

“On the occasion of the 10-year anniversary of the Assembly Mission,
I am delighted to once again lead this trip to the homeland,” Totah
said. “For most participants, the trip will be a memorable, bonding
and exhilarating experience that will be cherished for years to
come.”

Totah has also made special arrangements for a welcoming reception for
those travelers who will be in London on October 18.

For more information on the Assembly Trustees Mission to Armenia and
Karabakh, please contact Deputy Executive Director Peter Abajian in
Los Angeles at (310) 360-0091 or via email at [email protected]. In
Washington, please call Deputy Director of Development and Membership
Rita Mullane at (202) 393-3434 or [email protected].

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership
organization.

NR#2005-086

Photograph available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:

Caption: Last year the Assembly Mission to Armenia visited St. Gayane
Church, as well as other historical sites in and around Armenia.

NEW COMMANDER OF RUSSIAN FORCES IN TRANSCAUCASUS TAKES UP POST

Interfax-AVN military news agency website

24 Aug 05

Moscow, 24 August: Maj-Gen Andrey Popov has been appointed commander
of the Group of Russian Forces in Transcaucasus [GRFT] and started
carrying out his duties, the deputy commander of the GRFT, Col Vladimir
Kuparadze, told Interfax-AVN news agency on Wednesday [24 August]
by telephone from Tbilisi.

“Before his appointment as commander, Maj-Gen Popov was the
chief-of-staff of the GRFT and is fully aware of the situation,”
Kuparadze said.

Before Popov’s appointment, the GRFT was commanded by Maj-Gen Aleksandr
Bespalov. However, the Georgian authorities have not granted him
a Georgian entry visa and hid couldn’t come to Tbilisi, where the
headquarters of the GRFT are situated. Since his appointment in March
this year, Bespalov was in Armenia, where the 102nd Russian military
base is stationed in the town of Gyumri.

Maj-Gen Bespalov has been appointed deputy commander of the troops
of the North Caucasian Military District.

RIA Novosti, Russia
Aug 24 2005

Expert says breakthroughs unlikely at Kocharyan-Aliyev summit

MOSCOW, August 24 (RIA Novosti, Andrei Malyshkin) – No breakthrough
agreements should be expected from the Armenian-Azerbaijani
presidential summit August 27, a leading Russian political analyst
said Wednesday.

Konstantin Zatulin, the Director of Russia’s Institute for CIS
Studies and a member of the CIS affairs committee in the State Duma,
parliament’s lower house, said it is highly unlikely that the
upcoming meeting between Armenia’s Robert Kocharyan and Azerbaijan’s
Ilham Aliyev in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan, will resolve
problems that have been plaguing the two countries’ relations for
years.

“There have been all kinds of problems arising at meetings between
Armenia and Azerbaijan at various levels-there was a time when the
president of Azerbaijan would ostentatiously refuse to meet with the
president of Armenia-[so] the mere fact that such a meeting [is
taking place] is good news,” Zatulin said.

But he said he did not see any prerequisites for diplomatic progress
in solving problems that had accumulated between the two countries
over the years, most notably the long-standing dispute over Nagorny
Karabakh, a region inside Azerbaijan with a predominantly ethnic
Armenian population.

Asked whether he thought the redeployment of personnel from the
Russian military bases in Georgia to Gyumri, in Armenia, could help
resolve the Karabakh conflict, Zatulin said Azerbaijan was using the
issue to once again accuse Russia and Armenia of conspiring against
it. “The Armenia-Russia relationship is one of a common defense and I
think [officials] in Azerbaijan should realize that,” he said.