Author: Tamamian Anna

HE JUSTIFIED HIMSELF

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| 15:59:29 | 01-09-2005 | Official |

Today Armenian President’s press service issued the following
statement: “During the special NA session on August 29 some deputies
expressed discontent with the formulation of the agenda stated in
the President’s decree of July 11 on the calling of a special sitting.

The President’s press service reported that Robert Kocharian signed
the decree on July 11 basing on the letter of the NA Chairman and
the agenda stated in it: “The Constitution of the Republic of Armenia
(with amendments): second reading.”

RA NA SPEAKER ARTUR BAGHDASARYAN’S CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF THE DAY OF KNOWLEDGE

National Assembly of RA (press release), Armenia
Aug 31 2005

RA NA Speaker Artur Baghdasaryan sent a congratulatory message to
the teachers, students and pupils of the Republic, on the occasion
of the Day of Knowledge.

“Every September 1st all the higher educational institutions and
secondary schools open their hospitable doors for thousands of students
and pupils. By the promotion of the skilled and experienced teachers an
opportunity of mastering knowledge is given, with which a new way will
be opened for every pupil according to their ability and diligence.

The National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, as a legislative body
of the country implements and is implementing legislative amendments,
having the goal of making the educational system of Armenia in
compliance with the European standards for providing the Armenian
schoolchild and student with the opportunities to find his/her place
in the modern world. The adoption and ratification of the laws and
conventions relating to the educational and scientific sphere have
priority in the parliament. I am sure that the competitive education
will give the opportunity for all those who, regardless of their
social condition, have chosen the science as a way of life.

Assuring the state’s attention towards the problems of the education,
saying a word of gratitude to all the teachers I congratulate you on
the occasion of the Day of Knowledge and wish good luck.”

NEW RAILWAY TO PROLONG ARMENIA’S BLOCKADE
By Tatoul Hakobian

AZG Armenian Daily #155, 01/09/2005

Region

Yerevan Concerned With Kars-Akhalkalak-Tbilisi Railway Construction

Official Yerevan is concerned with another project that bypasses
Armenia – constriction of Kars-Akhalkalak-Tbilisi railway. If only
a few weeks ago Armenian authorities considered the construction of
the railroad the inner affair of three neighboring states – Georgia,
Azerbaijan and Turkey – (PM Andranik Margarian said so during his
Javakhk visit) then today they have obviously shifted the accent.

Foreign affairs minister stated in his last press conference that
Georgia and Azerbaijan have no moral right to build that railway,
even if it is subsidized not by donor organizations but by the
state budgets themselves. “We have Kars-Gyumri railway which does
not function because of Turkey’s wrong policy. We think that every
investment in the construction of the railway that is bypassing the
already existing railway is pointless. We will struggle against it”,
Vartan Oskanian said emphasizing that Armenia will try to prove all
interested states that Kars-Akhalkalak-Tbilisi railway is meaningless.

Construction of the railway is apparently highly probable otherwise
Armenian minister would not express concern. The new railway will in
fact throw old Kars-Gyumri railway into oblivion, which is hardly to
function as long as Turkey’s blockade of Armenia continues.

Official Tbilisi’s views on would-be Kars-Akhalkalak-Tbilisi railway
differ from those of Armenia, which sees it as an unfriendly step from
Georgia contributing to longer isolation of Armenia. For instance,
Davit Bakradze, chairman of a committee on Euro-Atlantic integration,
expressed an opinion that the new railway will not isolate Armenia
but instead will bring economic benefits. “If Georgia helps Armenia
connect with Turkey and Europe via its territory then it’s a successful
venture for Armenia itself”, he said.

Georgian foreign minister, Salome Zurabishvili, told journalists
recently that Armenia disapproves of the project, and Tbilisi is
ready to discuss other routes but, on the other hand, Georgian
authorities will not tolerate other states, including Armenia, to
stymie the project, more so if it is done through the USA. In July,
co-chairs Frank Pallone, Joe Knollenberg and George Radanovich of US
Congressional Caucus on Armenian issues submitted a bill to the House
of Representatives banning the US assistance to Kars-Akhalkalak-Tbilisi
railway. The congressmen underscored that depriving Armenia of economic
and commercial rights will harm US long-term regional interests.

But no lobbyism is powerful enough to keep US away from realizing
important projects if it is in best interests of the only super power
of the world. The US government keeps silent so far as to Washington’s
political and financial support to the railway construction. It’s
worth reminding of the Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act denying
US aid to Azerbaijan as long as it maintains blockade on Armenia and
Nagorno Karabakh. But the Section 907 was called off once US needed
Baku’s assistance in anti-terror fight.

Armenia and Russia were slow to believe in mid-1990s that the project
of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzrum gas
pipeline will come into existence some day. But the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
pipeline is already piping oil to Turkey today and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzrum
gas pipeline will be functioning in a couple of years. Those projects
were directed against Russia’s oil interests.

America’s decision to support or not in Kars-Akhalkalak-Tbilisi
railway construction will help us understand US policy in regard to
Armenia. This project cannot be pointed against Russia, as it does
not limit its influence in Caucasus in essence. Therefore, the United
State’s assistance to Kars-Akhalkalak-Tbilisi railway construction will
mean, as in case of the Caspian oil pipeline, that Armenia’s isolation
does not bother the Americans by the highest standards. Moreover,
cut off Armenia will have no other choice but remain stuck to Russia,
something that the US seemed not to approve.

Kars-Akhalkalak-Tbilisi railway connecting Turkey with Azerbaijan
will stretch 98 kms (Akhalkalak is already linked with Tbilisi with
rails and Tbilisi is linked with Azerbaijan, so they need only build
Kars-Akhalkalak section and repair separate parts of Akhalkalak-Tbilisi
section). 68 kms of rails will lie in Turkey, 30 in Georgia. The
price of the project fluctuates between $500 to $800 million.

CYPRUS WILL NOT HAND OVER BENON SEVAN TO USA
By Hakob Tsulikian

AZG Armenian Daily #153, 30/08/2005

UN scandal

Referring to Armenian Mirror Spectator, Reuters agency informed on
August 20 that Cyprus will not hand Cypriot Benon Sevan of Armenian
origin to another state (USA in this case) if he is proved guilty in
Oil-for-Food scandal.

“Our constitution bans to hand over our citizens to other states”,
George Iakovou, foreign minister of Cyprus, declared.

67-year-old Benon has been in Cyprus for 2 weeks now, international
media informs.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x137
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Friday, August 26, 2005

AGBU HONORS AREKNAZ KHERLAKIAN AT ANNUAL BRAZILIAN FASHION SHOW

In honor of long-time AGBU supporter Areknaz Kherlakian, AGBU Sao
Paulo hosted its annual fashion show on June 22, 2005 at Maison France
with over 500 guests in attendance, including special guest Brazilian
TV star Juan Alba.

Professional and amateur models hit the runway showcasing the latest
in children’s, women’s and men’s designer clothes from well-known
Brazilian fashion label Claudete & Deca.

With the Brazilian media present, the Fashion Show presents a
one-of-a-kind opportunity for AGBU Sao Paulo to reach out to its local
community to promote AGBU’s image to scores of trend-conscious
Brazilians.

Founded in 1964, AGBU Sao Paulo is dedicated to preserving and
promoting the Armenian heritage and culture through educational,
cultural and humanitarian programs. For more information, please
contact AGBU Sao Paulo at 55-113-814-9299 (or 9930) or e-mail
[email protected].

For more information on AGBU and its worldwide chapters, please visit

VILLAGE COUNCILS UNDEVELOPED YET

Azat Artsakh Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
26 Aug 05

At the local elections held in our republic people have also elected
local councils. However, not everyone knows what a community council
is, what its rights and powers are and whether this institution can be
considered accomplished. We discussed these and other questions with
the member of the community council of Stepanakert, the chairman of
the foundation `Stepanakert’ Naira Petrossian. Laura Grigorian:
`Mrs. Petrossian, you have been elected to the community council twice
and already have considerable experience. What does the community
council represent and what is its role in the development of the
country?’ N.P.: `The axis in building Nagorno Karabakh Republic is the
creation of a legitimate democratic national state, and on the way of
building such a country local government as a peculiar form of
democratic society is utterly important. Local governance is
instituted throughout the territoryof NKR to serve and improve the
life of the population. The community is the democratic basis of the
system of government, which is a legal person and a separate
administrative unit which deals with its property. It should be noted
that for the orderly and legal development of the local governmental
system the role and activity of the community council is utterly
important. The community council is a representational body and is
elected along with the head of the community. It possesses powers
granted to it by the Constitution and the NKR law on local
government. The community council controls the implementationof the
community budget, manages the lands located within the administrative
territory of the community, confirms the annual report of the head of
the community on the implementation of the budget. The representatives
of the community council are also involved in the standing committees
under the City Hall. ‘ L.G.: `What are the rights and duties of the
members of the community council and which is the circle of their
action?’ N.P.: `The members of the community council may come up with
proposals referring the agenda and the questions under consideration,
prepare and propose questions, projects and messages for discussion by
the community council, demand and receive official data from the mayor
about the activity of the community. At the same time the members of
the community council must take part in the meetings of the community
council, regularly meet with the members of the community and inform
them about the work of the community council, be present at the
reception of citizensby the community council, study the proposals and
complaints of the members of the community, attend to them. The
community council must organize its work combining their rights and
duties. Of course, the sphere of its activitiesis many-sided, requires
hard work, especially that it works in the form of meetings which take
place once a month. Any questions referring to the interests of the
community may be discussed at the meeting. The council may make
decisions and issue messages. However, it should be noted that not all
the conditions necessary for the determined work of the community
council of Stepanakert are provided. And although the NKR law on local
government has been in action since 1998, the institution of community
councils cannot be considered as fully accomplished. The rights of the
community council are limited by thelaw in action and therefore are
not sufficient to place and sustain the activity of the council on a
sound basis. The members of the community council should not merely be
present at the meetings of the council. Each of them should assume the
control of one of the spheres of life of vital importance for the
city.

Not only should the members of the council be worried by the problems
of the city but these should become the subject of their everyday work
and concern.

Therefore, it is necessary that the village council have permanent and
precise mechanisms and leverages.’ L.G.: `Is the communityaware of the
activity of the council?’ N.P.: `The public television informs about
all our meetings, the decisions are published in Stepanakert
Weekly. That is to say our activity is transparent for
everyone. Nevertheless, I think, the activity of the community council
needs improvement and precision.’

LAURA GRIGORIAN.
26-08-2005

Nagornyy Karabakh Republic plans “special economic policy” for Shushi

Azat Artsakh, Stepanakert
20 Aug 05

Text of unattributed report by Nagornyy Karabakh newspaper Azat
Artsakh on 20 August headlined “New economic policy for Shushi. The
town must become a safe zone for investments”

[Karabakh] Prime Minister Anushavan Daniyelyan held a meeting in his
office on 17 August to discuss a special economic policy for Shushi,
as well as issues of dividing customs responsibilities between the
Republic of Armenia and the NKR [Nagornyy Karabakh republic].

Touching upon the reconstruction of Shushi, Daniyelyan said that all
the funds raised during the 2006 all-Armenian telethon would be used
solely for the town’s “prosperity”. But before that, he said, the
government plans to implement a long-term programme of tax reform in
order to present Shushi on the eve of the telethon as a safe zone for
investment. The programme envisages a special taxation policy that
will exempt all investors from all taxes.

“The priority task for Shushi today is not just its reconstruction,
but also the creation of a great number of jobs that can be secured by
large investments,” Daniyelyan said.

At the same time, attaching great importance to the task of overcoming
slow industrial development in the republic, he said it was necessary
to exempt some employers from taxes in various spheres such as the
tourism, high-tech, pharmaceutical, medical equipment and carpet
industries.

Talking about the need to solve some issues of transferring customs
duties from the NKR to the Republic of Armenia, Daniyelyan said it was
important to sign a relevant contract between the two governments. He
said that the contract should cover such issues as the role of state
intervention, humanitarian aid, customs fees, etc.

ALLEN HELPS MAKE YES WORTHWHILE
By JOHN WIRT
[email protected]
Entertainment writer

The Advocate, LA
Aug 26 2005

Yes

PLAY OFFICIAL TRAILER
Starring: Joan Allen, Simon Abkarian, Sam Neill, Shirley Henderson,
Sheila Hancock and Samantha Bond Crew: Director, Sally Potter;
screenplay, Sally Potter director of photography, Alexi Rodionov;
production designer, Carlos Conti. Siegen Village 10. (Running time:
1 hr., 40 mins.) MPAA Rating: R

Critic’s Rating: out of 4 stars. Have you seen Yes? If so, what do
you think? Was it…
Excellent
Good Fair Bad

Joan Allen, the best actress in movies these days, portrays the
troubled leading lady of Yes. In this intimate, impressionistic drama,
Allen’s renowned American biologist feels trapped in a loveless
marriage to a British politician played by Sam Neil. This London
couple is married in name only.

When Allen and Neil attend a luxurious dinner party one evening —
probably for the sake of her husband’s image — she’s obviously
miserable. But then, from a distance, Allen makes eye contact with
the chef who prepared the meal. He’s a striking man with a sloping
mustache and dark mop of hair. Simon Abkarian, an Armenian actor
based in Paris, plays the cook whose name is never revealed.

The cook wastes no time in revealing his feelings. “I’d like to steal
you from the man who cannot see you are a queen,” he tells Allen. She
gives the romantic stranger her number.

Yes, written and directed by Sally Potter (The Man Who Cried,
Orlando and The Tango Lesson), defies convention. The characters’
spoken words and unspoken thoughts, which are heard in voiceover,
intermingle. Even more unconventional, the film’s characters speak
in verse. The chronology of the events, too, is not strictly linear
and the film’s visual style further distorts and condenses time.

Despite the innovative look and sound, Yes is a simple love story,
albeit complicated by current affairs. The chef is a displaced Arab
from Lebanon. His passion for Allen is such that the political and
cultural gulf between the Muslin and Western worlds is swept away,
at least temporarily.

In the purest sense of the phrase, Yes is art-house cinema. It will
probably confound anyone who prides himself on being Mr. Average
Moviegoer. But for the more artistically inclined, for poetry readers,
cinema students, Yes may well be a rare and rewarding experience. And
just about any film with the great Joan Allen is worth the time and
money. If Hollywood was interested in making great movies, she’d
never be off the screen.

The Chronicle of Higher Education
Thursday, August 18, 2005

Duke U. Student Is Free From Jail in Armenia After Conviction on
Book-Exportation Charges

By AISHA LABI

HEADLINES

A Duke University graduate student who was jailed for two months in
Armenia was released on Tuesday and given a two-year suspended
sentence for attempting to export old books from the country
illegally.

The student, Yektan Turkyilmaz, is a Turkish citizen who is a
Ph.D. candidate in cultural anthropology. After a weeklong trial, he
was convicted of violating an Armenian law that prohibits the export
of books older than 50 years without permission. He could have been
sentenced to four to eight years in prison, but the court opted not to
imprison Mr. Turkyilmaz after a last-minute request by prosecutors,
who said Mr. Turkyilmaz had cooperated and had partially acknowledged
his guilt.

Mr. Turkyilmaz was arrested on June 17 as he tried to leave Armenia
for Turkey with about 90 second-hand books he had purchased legally at
bookstalls in the open-air market in Yerevan, the Armenian capital. He
was held for more than a month before he was charged. Scholars from
around the world, including many Armenians, reacted with outrage at
his detention and more than 200 signed an open letter of protest to
Armenia’s president, Robert Kocharian (The Chronicle, August 1).

Orin Starn, a professor of cultural anthropology at Duke who is
Mr. Turkyilmaz’s dissertation adviser, traveled to Armenia for the
trial. In an e-mail message from Yerevan on Wednesday, he said that
“all of the books that Yektan had were related to his research on
Armenian history, culture, and politics.”

Mr. Starn said Mr. Turkyilmaz “was completely unaware of the law
prohibiting the export of books older than 50 years from Armenia; all
of the booksellers who testified at the trial related that they, in
fact, were either unaware of the law themselves or had not told Yektan
about it.”

Mr. Turkyilmaz’s dissertation is to be titled “Imagining ‘Turkey,’
Creating a Nation: The Politics of Geography and State Formation in
Eastern Anatolia, 1908-1938.” The period that Mr. Turkyilmaz’s
dissertation research focuses on and its role in fostering modern
Turkish and Armenian nationalism is at the heart of continued tensions
between Turkey and Armenia. An especially inflammatory subject is the
deaths of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians in 1915: Armenians
characterize the killings as genocide, while Turkey officially rejects
this view.

Mr. Turkyilmaz is fluent in Armenian, as well as modern and Ottoman
Turkish, different dialects of Kurdish, French, and English. His
fluency allowed him to address the court in his own defense.

“I regret what happened and accept that as a result of my
inconsistency and indifference, I did not know legal requirements
existing in the Republic of Armenia and failed to obtain permission
for the books in a manner defined by the law,” Mr. Turkyilmaz said in
his final statement at the trial. “As I said earlier, I never sought
to violate the laws of the Republic of Armenia or to cause any damage
to the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian people.”

Mr. Turkyilmaz is free from jail but is not permitted to leave Armenia
until the sentence becomes official, which is expected to take place
in two weeks.

When Mr. Turkyilmaz was arrested, the books he was carrying were
confiscated, as were his laptop computer, his camera, and computer
disks containing his research materials. In announcing the verdict,
the trial judge said that the government would return all of the
research material, according to Mr. Starn.

“We hope, and expect,” Mr. Starn wrote, “that the Armenian authorities
will allow Yektan to leave the country at the end of this 15-day
period with the return of all these materials, which are a crucial
part of Yektan’s dissertation research.”

Despite his incarceration, Mr. Turkyilmaz said after his release that
he was looking forward to doing more research at the Armenian National
Archives and was hoping to visit them as soon as possible, perhaps
even before his departure, according to a Radio Free Europe report. “I
have not yet finished my work there and am glad that I will stay in
Yerevan for 15 more days,” he said. “I love this city.”

ARMENIAN-AMERICAN COOPERATION ONE OF IMPORTANT GUARANTEES OF REGIONAL STABILITY

YERVAN, AUGUST 19, NOYAN TAPAN. The issue of peace and prosperity
in the South Caucasian region remains in the center of the USA
attentation. This was mentioned at the August 19 meeting of
Vartan Oskanian, the RA Foreign Minister, and Howard B.Dean, the
Chairman of the National Committee of the USA Democratic Party. The
interlocutors attached importance to effective cooperation spread in
all the directions of the Armenian-American relations and its further
deepening as one of important guarantees of economic development of
Armenia and regional stability. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA
Foreign Ministry’s Press and Information Department, the parties also
touched upon the current situation in the South Caucasus, prospects
of political and economic development, the Armenian-Turkish relations
and a number of other issues.