Author: Taslakhchian Andranik

The Azeri spokesman brings a false quotation

Noyan Tapan News Agency

August 30th, 2004

By Haroutiun Khachatrian

I am not fond of reading carefully the propagandist declaration of any
state officials, and for this reason, I had not read the notorious
declarations of Col. Ramiz Melikov, the head of the press service of
the Ministry of Defense of Azerbiajan.

These declarations have, by the way, got coverage in media and
reaction of different state officials (to my opinion, these reactions
were much more than deserved). In particular, we have placed the
article of Harut Sasunian in California Courier (See The Noyan Tapan
Highlights, issue of August 17). Last week, even the members of the
Armenian Caucus of the U.S. Congress have sent a letter of protest to
the State Department (see page 2). But when a friend of mine wrote
that the interview of Mr. Melikov contains a reference to MY NAME, I
had to read the above-mentioned statements, in which, to recap, he
expressed the belief that Armenia as a state will be eliminated in
25-30 years. In his interview to the Zerkalo newspaper of Baku, dated
August 14, he said the following (below is my translation from
Russian, the original text is available at ).

“Arutiun Khachaturian, (this is the adopted spelling of my name in
Russian, H.K.), an expert on political and economic issues, in his
article in the issue of 16 July, 2004 of The Washington Post newspaper
wrote that in 1988-1994, as a result of the Karabakh war, 16 thousand
people left Armenia. Again, according to his calculations, during the
subsequent 10 years, 1 million citizens left Armenia. … i.e.,
Khachaturian claims that on average, 100 thousand people leave Armenia
each year”. I have no honor to have articles published in The
Washington Post. Nevertheless, I decided to find the article of
question to see who is that Khachaturian, “the expert on political and
economic issues”, who has published such strange data in that
respected edition? Owned to the kind assistance of the staff of the
library of the U.S. Embassy in Armenia I discovered that NO article of
any person named Khachaturian was published in The Washington Post in
June-July of 2004. Moreover, there are only two articles having
relation to Armenia in that newspaper in the same period. These
articles, written by Susan B. Glasser, were published on July 11 and
12. They contained no reference on any person named Khachaturian, as
well as nothing reminiscent on the numbers presented by Melikov.

Hence, what Mr. Melikov has said in his interview is a lie. Not only
in its content, but simply as a fact. And, subsequently, it might seem
that there is no reason to attach the mythic “Arutiun Khachaturian”
with my name. The problem is, however, that I DO have publications
about the problem of emigration from Armenia, and some people, who had
read them, may believe that I could well have the publication
mentioned by the forger from the Azeri Defense Ministry. No one would
trouble himself to check the archives of The Washington Post as I
did. For this reason, I have to mention the following:

First, in none of my publications did I write that only 16,000 left
Armenia before 1994, and 1 million afterwards. Quite the opposite, the
bulk of the “exodus” took place during the wartime (at least 500,000
people left the country then).

Second, my last publication about the migration in Armenia was as
early as in December, 2002 (available at ). Hence, I
had no chance so far to cover these problems during the last two
years, where the situation has been quite different compared to that
in 90s.

Returning to the statements of Mr. Melikov, to say it frankly, the lie
I discovered was unexpected, but not surprising for me. This is the
usual style of the official Baku propaganda, and even in the same
interview, several more examples of lie and falsification can easily
be shown. It is very sad that this has become the style of the
official propaganda of Azerbaijan, which, ultimately, serves to only
one purpose, namely, keeping the anti-Armenian mood high among the
Azeris. I share the opinion of many people, both in Armenia and in
Azerbaijan, that due to this propaganda, the two nations cannot return
to normal relations, even after some settlement of the Karabakh
conflict is achieved. Not to say that these moods are direct obstacles
to the possible settlement.

The Noyan Tapan Highlights, August 30th, 2004

Azg Armenian Daily
Aug 30 2004

EMPLOYERS AVOID HIRE IRAQI ARMENIANS

WHY DIDN’T THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS RECOGNIZE THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF
AZERBAIJAN IN 1918-1920?

“KARABAGH MAY HAVE GOOD FUTURE”

NEW NEWSPAPERS IN ARMENIAN PRESS

CAMPING IN GUGARK DIOCESE

“CILICIA” AT HISTORICAL SHORES

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

EMPLOYERS AVOID HIRE IRAQI ARMENIANS

Iraqi Refugees Looking for Alternative Shelter

The war in Iraq made Iraqi Armenians leave their homes for Armenia.
Forty-nine families (87 people) found refuge in Armenia by July.
Thirty-one families applied for temporary lodging till the end of the
war.

Most of the Iraqi emigrants live in hired flats, some of them stay
with their relatives and few families bought flats in Armenia,
informs the Administration for Migration and Refugees. There are even
few young people who have already made their ways to the
universities. The Migration Administration has located most of the
needy at the Nor Nork borough hostel. But the rooms of the hostel are
overcrowded.

Most of the emigrants work as cooks and jewelers. According to
Ruzanna Petrosian, of the Migration Administration, the Iraqi
Armenians complain that the employers don’t treat them as permanent
and trustworthy workers. They are not hired out of fear that they can
leave Armenia any moment.

Some of the Iraqi Armenians are really looking forward to leaving not
having got any means for survival.

Four more citizens of Iraq applied to the Against Juridical
Willfulness NGO asking to help them leave Armenia for not having any
job here. Two of them were Armenians, other two Arabian.

The International Organization of Red Cross was supporting them
monthly. But the program is over now and they turned to the NGO
asking to give them 50 US dollars a month to keep body and soul
together. But the NGO was unable to meet their needs.

Armenia became a refuge for 2 Kurdish families four years ago who
were unsatisfied with Saddam Hussein’s regime.

Besides sheltering Kurds and Arabs Armenia grants asylum to religious
and political outcasts. Samuel Lem Logan, a 42-year-old Sudanese, has
been in Armenia since 2000. The oppression that Christians face in
that Muslim country made him come to Armenia. He has no permanent job
here and hopes to leave either to Sudan or to the USA. But Samuel
didn’t waste his time: he married an Armenian girl.

Armenia granted shelter to a citizen of Chechnya who left Armenia
lately.

The Against Juridical Willfulness NGO informs that there are still
people who view Armenia as second home. One of them is Asiv Ziman who
fled Pakistan because of Muslims’ oppression of Christian. He is
married to an Armenian and is engaged in trade. Unlike all others who
shared his fate he is already accustomed to Armenia and is not going
to leave for another country.

By Karine Danielian

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

WHY DIDN’T THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS RECOGNIZE THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF
AZERBAIJAN IN 1918-1920?

Baku Celebrates 13-th Anniversary of Independence Declaration

The Armenian government is sparing no efforts declaring that Nagorno
Karabakh has never been part of independent Azerbaijan. In his June
24 speech at the European Council Robert Kocharian stated: “As a
result of collapse of the Soviet Union 2 separately independent
states were formed in the territory of Soviet Azerbaijan: Nagorno
Karabakh and Azerbaijan. The existence of the two states is equally
justified. Thus, the territorial wholeness of Azerbaijan has nothing
to do with Nagorno Karabakh”.

Any historical fact may be viewed from two angles the least. For
instance, we, Armenians, are sure that Nakhidjevan is a purely
Armenian territory whereas the Azeris assure that not only
Nakhidjevan but also Zangezur, Karabakh and Yerevan are Azeri
territories. But that Karabakh has never been a part of independent
Azerbaijan is a fact, according to the Azeris’ very history.

On August 30 the Azeris celebrated the 13-th anniversary of
Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The
communist authorities of Baku adopted the document in 1991, August
30. This document is equally important for Karabakh too. In
accordance with the Declaration, Azerbaijan declared its independence
in the territory of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan (DRA) of
1918-1920. Nagorno Karabakh was not in the territory of Azerbaijan by
that time. Therefore, if the contemporary Azerbaijan is the successor
of the DRA, according to the Declaration, then Baku cannot have
claims for Karabakh. Only after July 5 of 1921 Karabakh was forced
into Soviet Azerbaijan.

In 1918-1920 not only Nagorno Karabakh but also Plain Karabakh and
Nakhidjevan were included in the DRA. Nakhidjevan became a
protectorate of Azerbaijan only in 1921 according to Kars Treaty. And
the Plain Karabakh was partially added to Azerbaijan during time. An
interesting fact: The League of Nations, predecessor of the UNO,
didn’t recognize the DRA reasoning it by Azerbaijan’s territorial
conflicts, i.e. Karabakh and Nakhidjevan, with its neighbors.

Jamil Hasanov, historian at the Baku State University, writes that
the Azeri delegation left for the Paris peace conference in 1919
hoping that the League of Nations would recognize the DRA
independence and would enroll Azerbaijan in the League. The Baku
delegation hoped to get the US president Wilson’s support and to
establish diplomatic relations between the two states, according to
Dr. Hasanov. Despite the supposed support of president Wilson, the
issues of DRA’s independence and membership in the league remained
unsolved, writes Dr. Hasanov.

The DRA failed to gain membership in the League of Nations in
contrast to neighboring Armenia and Georgia. Thus, Azerbaijan was not
internationally recognized because it tried to come into the League
with Karabakh and Nakhidjevan, non-Azeri territories.

There are other examples too testifying to the fact that Karabakh was
not a part of the DRA. For instance, on April 20 of 1920, the other
day of Azerbaijan’s sovietization, the Foreign Affairs commissar
Husejnov send a note to the government of yet independent Armenian
Republic (Armenia became Soviet only on December 2). It read: “The
proletarian government of the Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan demands
that you clear Karabakh and Zangezur off your troops”. This also
testifies to the fact that Karabakh was not a part of Azerbaijan
during the first Soviet years. Husejnov didn’t mention the name of
Nakhidjevan simply because it was a part of independent Armenia by
that time and was annexed only in the spring of 1921.

On August 10 of 1920 a treaty between the Dashnak (the ruling party)
government and Soviet Russia was signed. The second part of the
treaty read: “The Soviet troops of Russia conquer the arguable
regions of Karabakh, Zangezur and Nakhidjevan with the exception of
the territories destined for the troops of the Armenian Republic”.

And at last the note signed by the chairman of the Revolutionary
Committee Narimanov and the Peoples’ Commissar of Foreign Affairs
Husejnov which says: “Nagorno Karabakh, Zangezur and Nakhidjevan are
recognized as constituents of Soviet Armenia”.

By Tatoul Hakobian

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

“KARABAGH MAY HAVE GOOD FUTURE”

British The Economist about Post-Soviet National Conflicts

After the recent events in Southern Ossetia, the political scientists
drew the attention of the leading international mass media on
settlement prospects of the four national conflicts existing in the
post-Soviet territory. The Economist, British authoritative weekly,
published an editorial dedicated to Nagorno Karabagh, Abkhazia,
Southern Ossetia and Transdnestria in its August 19 issue.

“The unfinished wars in Transdnestria, Abkhazia, Southern Ossetia and
Nagorno Karabagh are the key factors that hinder the former Soviet
independent states to unfold their potential fully. A microstate is
in the center of each conflict. The leaders of these microstates won
the local wars but for the Russian arms. Notwithstanding the huge
differences, these microstates have many things in common. The
isolation that lasts for decades and the unrecognized governments
made them a military society.”

“The society of Nagorno Karabagh is the closest to the natural
society among these four countries. In 2001, when the local corrupt
Samvel Babayan was arrested, there existed some mixture of economy
and local policy in Karabagh that is considered independent. But it
is united with Armenia and its economy is supported by Diaspora, in
fact.”

“Recently, local elections took place there. Notwithstanding the wave
of anger and indignation in Azerbaijan, that posses Karabagh de jure,
the competition between the candidates was real. In Stepanakert the
atmosphere was quiet according to post-Soviet criteria. Thus,
Karabagh may have a good future if the fate of this enclave is
settled in some way”, the Economist writes.

According to the weekly, the mutual concession seemed to have been
reached four years ago. “Most of Nagorno Karabakh’s part was to be
united with Armenia, while the Azeris would get the neighboring
regions and the corridor that joined the two parts of the republic
(Azerbaijan and Nakhidjevan). Lately, the positions of both sides
became stricter and the polls testified to the fact that the majority
of the Azeris want that territory (Karabagh) to be regained by
force.”

The Economist means the Key West treaty, that is considered to be a
secret document, but some of its articles have already appeared in
the press. Particularly, by the second article of the treaty Karabagh
was to unite with Armenia against the withdrawal of the Armenian
forces from the territory belonging to Azerbaijan administratively,
except Lachine. This very region secures the land communication
between Karabagh and Armenia. As for the unification of Azerbaijan
and Nakhidjevan, this can be reached by getting a part of Meghri
region, stretching by the bank of Arax. But Lachine and Meghri
corridors have no equal status: the first is united with Armenia,
while Meghri is just a transportation corridor.

“The struggle for Karabagh always existed and a new war is very
possible. Compared with it, Southern Ossetia is a hotbed of a small
but important quarrel. Abkhazia and Transdnestria may have a special
political status, if not for the independence, but for historical
reasons. Both of the administrations have the control of the
territories and the economy and are able to exist independently. But
both of them are the volunteer hostages of Russia,” the Economist
writes. The British weekly reminds the data of the American Herman
Marshal Research Center that define the regions in conflict as “the
cracks of the Soviet Empire that are hotbeds of arm and drug trade,
trafficking, organized crimes and terrorism.”

The Economist adds that Marshall’s conclusion is right for Abkhazia,
Southern Ossetia and Transdnestria, except for Nagorno Karabagh.

By Tatoul Hakobian

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

NEW NEWSPAPERS IN ARMENIAN PRESS

Recently, new newspapers were issued in the Armenian press market and
some others will be issued in near future. Today, it’s hard to say
what part will these new periodicals play both in the market and the
politics. But its’ obvious that they will try hard to have influence
in our social-political live. Moreover, at least, the two of them are
financed or sponsored by figures having political claims.

The “Third Power” newspaper is the first among them that is
considered “a social -political independent newspaper”, but is
financed by Levon Hairapetian, Moscow dwelling businessman, and Aram
Karapetian, leader of Nor Zhamanakner (New Times) party. The
newspaper is published by “Missia l” ltd. Vahram Aghajanian, former
reporter of Azg Daily, analyst of the Iravunk weekly, is the
newspaper’s editor-in-chief. The newspaper consists of 16 pages, is
multicolored and well printed.

Few days ago, the first copy of Zoravig newspaper was issued too. It
is established by “Zoravig- Merhak” ltd. Pushkin Serobian is its
editor-in-chief. It is “August 23 Federation” union’s official
periodical.

In some days the newspaper of “Nig Aparan” union will be issued too.
The head of the union is Aghvan Hovsepian, RA Public Prosecutor. His
political claims are frequently spoken about, recently. The newspaper
is very likely to be entitled “Haykakan Dzeragir” (Armenian
Handwriting).

According to the information circulating in the journalistic sphere,
a new periodical will appear in the Armenian press very soon. Today
we know only the name of the editor, Satik Seiranian.

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

CAMPING IN GUGARK DIOCESE

The summer vacations are the continuation of the studying process,
but in a special way. These studies should contribute to our
children’s true Armenian education.

Gugark Diocese emphasized the national-spiritual education of the
children in its activities. It organized the summer vacations of many
schoolchildren in “Tsitsernak” (sparrow) camp.

It has been the third year that “Tsitsernak” camp is functioning
under the shelter of Holy See of Etchmiadzin. This is one of the best
camps in Armenia by its order and the educational orientation.

This year, the main building of the camp became a dormitory that
helped to organize vacations for 1050 children instead of 600. Some
of the buildings of “Krunk” camp that also belong to the diocese have
also been renovated. Here the children spend their hours of study and
entertainment. The camp has a new pool and a game square.

There were 48 children of the perished azatamartiks (freedom
fighters) as well as 48 unilateral and 70 bilateral orphans among the
1050 children that spent their summer vacations in the camp. Sepuh
Archbishop Chuljian, head of diocese, assured that they will spare no
effort to enlarge and make the camping complex more comfortable so
that more children could rest there.

By Astkhik Asrian

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

“CILICIA” AT HISTORICAL SHORES

Two or three more days and the Armenian “Cilicia” sailing boat will
be at the coast of historical Cilicia, Hmayak Tarakhchian of the
“Ayas” sea research club informed yesterday. On August 27 “Cilicia”
moored at the Athens, and the crew spend 2 days in the
Olympic-battered city. On August 29 publicist Zori Balayan again
joined the sailors after having been in Bulgaria.

Today “Cilicia” is making its way through the Aegean Sea to the
historical Ayas. According to Mr. Tarakhchian, the boat has the right
to navigate in the Aegean Sea but he is uncertain about the ship
mooring in the harbor. The coast of Cilicia begins with the island of
Rhodos and stretches to Iskyandaru (Alexandria) Gulf where the
ancient harbor of Ayas used to be. Mr. Tarakhchian expressed hope
that the Turkish government will allow “Cilicia” moor at Ayas. And we
shall wait for rich impressions of our sailors as they go through
historical Armenian territories.

By Tamar Minasian

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

MEETING THE SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT, HIS HOLINESS ARAM I UNDERSCORES THE
IMPORTANCE OF RECONCILIATION

WCC-Geneva _ KOREA – South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun has expressed his
strong appreciation of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the
ecumenical movement for its “fundamental assistance” in support of human
rights and democratization in his country. He has also welcomed the
contribution of the churches to promoting a peaceful reunification of
divided Korea.

Receiving the members of WCC executive committee and Korean church leaders
in Seoul on 24 August, the president stated his warm personal appreciation
for the role of the WCC and of the National Council of Churches (NCCK) in
encouraging democracy and raising awareness of justice and human rights
issues in Korea.

The president, who worked as a human rights lawyer defending pro-democracy
and labor rights activists before taking up political office, was involved
in the NCCK human rights programme. The contact with NCCK and the churches
“opened my eyes to human rights and justice issues”, he stated.

The WCC, together with the NCCK, actively supported the nascent human rights
movement in Korea during the 1970s and 1980s during the period of the
military dictatorship.

In talks with the president and with representatives of the Korean Ministry
of Unification, the WCC leaders underlined the continued engagement of the
churches and ecumenical movement in fostering a peaceful reunification of
Korea. South and North Korea have been separated since the Korean war ended
in 1954.

WCC moderator Catholicos Aram I underscored how the Christian understanding
of reconciliation was closely linked to unification and the overcoming of
division. “We are called by God in Jesus Christ to strive for reconciliation
and unity in all its forms. WCC is committed to working with all people of
goodwill to overcome the barriers which divide our societies”, he said.

The commitment of WCC to the reunification of Korea was echoed by WCC
general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia. “WCC stands for de-nuclearisation
and disarmament in the Korean peninsula based on a negotiated agreement by
all parties as a foundation of peace, and will continue to promote a policy
of dialogue and exchange”, he said.

During an exchange with executive committee members, president Roh Moo-hyun
also expressed his support for the invitation of the Korean churches and of
NCCK to host a future WCC assembly in Korea. The WCC general secretary
thanked the president and said that the “WCC hopes and prays that an
assembly would be possible in a united Korea in the near future”.

The WCC executive committee will issue a statement on Korea at the end of
the week that will express its serious concern about the human rights and
humanitarian situation in North Korea, and will outline ongoing ecumenical
efforts for the peaceful reunification of the divided country.

The WCC executive committee is meeting in Seoul 24-27 August on the
invitation of NCCK and the Korean churches.

##

View printable pictures here:

*********

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

RIA Novosti, Russia
Aug 27 2004

IRAN GIVES ARMENIA LOAN TO BUILD IRAN-ARMENIA PIPELINE

YEREVAN, August 26 (RIA Novosti’s Gamlet Matevosyan) – Armenian
Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan said that Iran would loan Armenia $30
million for the construction of the Armenian part of an
Iranian-Armenian gas pipeline.

According to him, the money will be used to construct the first
section of the Armenian part of the Agarak-Kadzharan gas pipeline to
connect it with the Iranian pipeline.

Mr. Movsisyan said that Iran had already started constructing its
part of the pipeline and that construction of the Armenian part of
the pipeline would begin this year.

The loan will be given for 7.5 years at 5% of interest per annum.

A treaty on the construction of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline was
signed in Yerevan on May 13. Under it, 36 billion cubic meters of
Iranian gas will be delivered to Armenia over 20 years. The
construction of the gas pipeline has been planned to be completed at
the end of 2006.

Earlier, deputy chairman of Gazprom Alexander Ryazanov said that, as
had been calculated by his company’s experts, the cost of the
Armenian part of the gas pipeline would be $140 million, and that the
project would recoup its cost in nine years.

Mr. Ryazanov has not ruled out Gazprom helping finance the
construction of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline.

Indianapolis Star, IN
Aug 21 2004

Call for greater police firepower grows
Training, public safety are top concerns as officials consider ways
to upgrade weaponry.

By Richard D. Walton
[email protected]
August 21, 2004

To Linda Jackson, news of a fellow Indianapolis police officer killed
with a military-style rifle stirred painful memories of the day she
was wounded with a similar weapon two years ago.

And with the memories came frustration.

Jackson wants to know how many dead police it will take before IPD
arms its officers with the same kind of firepower that Kenneth C.
Anderson used to kill Patrolman Timothy “Jake” Laird early Wednesday.
Anderson also wounded four other officers before being killed by a
SWAT team member who, unlike regular patrol officers, has access to
high-powered weapons.

Jackson, a bullet fragment still lodged in her body from her
encounter with a mentally ill man using a rapid-fire rifle, said IPD
no longer can delay handing out to officers more than 200
high-powered AR-15 rifles the department acquired about a year ago.
Those weapons still are in boxes, awaiting the department’s decision
on where to train police in their use.

“There’s no looking into it,” Jackson said. “This just needs to
happen.”

But protecting officers can’t mean endangering the public, police
officials say. And stray shots from the powerful weapons could do
just that in crowded neighborhoods or if training is conducted in an
unsuitable place.

About two years ago, workers were doing repairs on a Westside gas
station just south of the IPD firing range when they found bullet
fragments on the roof.

If rounds from the handguns fired could escape the range, ones from
the high-powered AR-15s certainly would, too, said IPD Sgt. Steve
Staletovich. In considering a training site, he said, “we were afraid
that the bullets would eventually go right through the berm.”

The firepower Anderson had in his Southside rampage was put on
display Friday by IPD. It included an Armenian-built SKS-style rifle.
The brown-stocked weapon is capable of firing up to 1,000 yards. A
round travels at a speed of 2,800 to 3,200 feet per second, almost
three times the velocity of a hollow-point bullet fired from the
standard handgun carried by IPD street officers, the .40-caliber
Glock pistol.

A shot fired from the SKS-style rifle could penetrate a car door or a
board two to three times as thick as a 2-by-4, said David J.
Brundage, a firearms examiner with the Indianapolis-Marion County
Forensic Services Agency.

Vince Huber, president of the local Fraternal Order of Police, has
criticized IPD for not issuing patrol officers heavier weapons after
the September 2001 shooting death of Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy
Jason Baker, killed with the same type of rifle Anderson used.

“It’s not been an isolated incident,” Huber said after Laird’s death.
“We’ve seen a pattern of criminals having a better weapon.”

Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi also believes IPD officers need
more firepower, although he’s careful not to suggest it would have
made any difference in this week’s shooting spree.

“I don’t know and no one knows whether . . . any life could have been
saved.” But Brizzi said more weaponry might save someone next time.
“Because there will be a next time,” he said.

In some communities, however, the call has been for less firepower,
not more.

In Cincinnati, for example, officers carry just a handgun, a
semi-automatic 9 mm Smith & Wesson pistol. Each squad car has a
12-gauge shotgun. But only SWAT team members have the powerful
rifles.

Unlike the emotion-charged demands for more heavy weaponry being made
here, in the Ohio city there have been concerns that police had too
much firepower. Some citizens complained when, in the past, officers
carried .357 Magnums, said Lt. Kurt Byrd of the Cincinnati Police
Department.

Police agencies across Indiana and the nation reassessed their
firepower after a bank robbery and shootout in 1997 in California.
Los Angeles police, armed with pistols and shotguns, traded gunfire
with two men clad in body armor and firing automatic weapons.
Overmatched police ran into a nearby gun store for rifles. Now Los
Angeles police have more powerful rifles.

That incident “opened a lot of eyes” about the mismatch with the
criminals, said Maj. Randy Werden, chief of the enforcement division
of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department. So much so that the
department, which had been issuing shotguns to its street officers,
began equipping them with Ruger rifles.

Each officer is issued at least 25 rounds with the rapid-fire weapon.
Basically “as fast as you can pull the trigger, it will discharge a
round,” Werden said.

A possible training site for IPD officers would be Camp Atterbury in
Johnson County, but Staletovich said the cost of getting more than
200 officers to that site must be considered.

But IPD could get a cost break from the Indiana Law Enforcement
Academy. Not only would the range on the 300-acre site in Plainfield
safely accommodate training with high-powered weapons, Indianapolis
police also could take training as in-kind compensation for training
IPD has provided the academy, said Scott Mellinger, the academy’s
executive director.

Officer Jackson, who survived her confrontation with a high-powered
rifle, says it’s only right that the department get the extra guns
out on the street.

Do it in memory of Officer Laird, she said. “It’s the very least they
can do.”

ITAR-TASS, Russia
Aug 20 2004

Putin confirms erroneousness of autonomous status abolition

SOCHI, August 20 (Itar-Tass) — Russian President Vladimir Putin
confirmed that he regards as erroneous Georgia’s abolition of the
autonomous status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in the early 1990s.

`It is absurd to deny that the decision on South Ossetia was made,’
Putin replied to the question about his criticism. `We have copies of
the documents, which abolished the autonomous status. They were
signed by Zviad Gamsakhurdia, and we are ready to present them,’ he
said.

`As for Abkhazia, that decision was made de facto, without legal
confirmation,’ Putin said. `The latest statements of Abkhaz leaders
and the life itself show that.’

Putin does not think that his judgment of Georgian actions following
the disintegration of the former Soviet Union, including the
abolition of the autonomous status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, was
too harsh. Several days ago he said that the actions were `stupid.’

`Mikhail Saakashvili [told me] at our meetings that he also regarded
the decisions made on South Ossetia in the 1990s as erroneous,’ Putin
said. `So I said nothing unexpected.’

Putin called on all parties to the South Ossetian conflict to abide
by agreements.

`There is only one way out: to start negotiations, reach agreements
and have political will to implement them,’ he said after
negotiations with Armenian President Robert Kocharyan.

`There is will be no results’ if the [Joint Control] Commission would
make decisions in the morning and representatives of a member country
of the Commission would disavow the decisions in the evening, Putin
said. `I hope that all parties will show political maturity and
responsibility in the interests of their peoples,’ Putin said.

REVIEWS: CLASSICAL: PROM 40: SILK ROAD ENSEMBLE / MA ROYAL ALBERT HALL LONDON

The Independent (London)
August 19, 2004, Thursday

BY KEITH POTTER

SOME CONCERTS, you’d think, can’t fail. This one included a superb
female Mongolian singer sporting pink headgear with dark peacock
feathers reaching to about 10 feet high, with a most extraordinary
voice, plus a band including instruments such as the bamboo and bronze
sheng (looks rather like a bagpipe, sounds more like an accordion) and
the beautiful, lute-like pipa, to say nothing of virtuoso players on
violin, cello, tabla and other instruments besides. But, although the
capacity audience’s applause for this Prom was enthusiastic, I
wondered how many of them, like me, left a little disappointed.

The band was the cellist Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble, and the
concert explored “the relationship between tradition and innovation in
music from the East and West”, inspired by the Silk Road connecting
the Mediterranean to China. Three specially commissioned works, plus
one that seemed to be basically structured improvisation, were
supplemented by arrangements of Armenian and Gypsy music. Encores
widened the net further, even encompassing variations on an English
tune from Elizabethan times.

There were variety and virtuosity aplenty. The Mongolian Byambasuren
Sharav’s Legend of Herlen, featuring that singer, Khongorzul
Ganbaatar, opened proceedings in style; you really believed that her
spicy tone and amazingly long-breathed melody, spiked without warning
by high ululations, could have been heard across the Gobi Desert, from
where this vocal style originated.

By comparison, even Ma’s fruity (and perhaps anachronistically
Western- sounding) vibrato on a two-stringed “horse-head” fiddle, and
the intermittent blasts from three British trombonists augmenting the
ensemble, seemed tame. But we had to wait until the third encore to
hear her again.

Zhao Jiping (who wrote the score to the film Farewell My Concubine)
provided the piece I most enjoyed. Moon Over Guan Mountain offered
rather fragmented yet occasionally melodic music for an ensemble
including the sheng, a marvellous and versatile instrument, at least
as played by Wu Tong.

The Indian tabla player Sandeep Das’s Tarang gave four drummers,
himself included, the chance to add some genuine interplay in
improvisation, accompanied by a string group that then became a
mainstay of this afternoon Prom.

The Armenian and Romany music was very affecting, with the Chinese
pipa making natural-sounding contributions. Wu Man, the pipa player,
is a

fine performer. The Iranian Kayhan Kalhor was persuasive in a solo on
the Persian spiked fiddle, but his ensemble composition, Blue as the
Turquoise Night of Neyshabur, proved too long and lacking in thrust.

Booking: 020-7589 8212; Prom 40 available online
to Sunday

Morning Call (Allentown, PA)
August 12, 2004 Thursday FIFTH EDITION

“Ragtime’ risky business for Main Street

By Myra Yellin Outwater Special to The Morning Call – Freelance

Artistic risk for theater management is a relative term depending on
geography, ensemble, casting pool and audience.

Risky subject matter on Broadway could carry multi-million dollar
consequences; financial risk is less Off Broadway, where profit
ratios are smaller, audiences are less mainstream and filling seats
depends more on word of mouth.

The issues are different yet when talking risk in local theater.
Directors can’t just choose any play, they have to know that an
appropriate cast is available. And, to quote Harold Hill, “you gotta
know your territory,” meaning it is a brave or, perhaps, foolhardy
director who mounts a show without knowing how it will play.

That said, I admire Main Street Theatre Artistic Director Bill
Mutimer’s gutsy choice of “Ragtime,” which opened Wednesday at the
Quakertown theater. The 1998 Tony Award winning musical based on E.
L. Doctorow’s ambitious family saga takes a look at the social
changes of the 20th century. Its elaborate plot weaves together the
stories of three families — a family of northern blacks, a family of
Russian Jewish immigrants and an upper class WASP family. The
vignettes are held together with a wonderful sweeping score that
explores ragtime, a uniquely American form of music.

“Can you really do this show?” I asked Mutimer at a recent interview.
And the unflappable director replied with a big smile and the
confidence of a Barnum, “Of course!”

But, conceded Mutimer, he had several aces up his sleeve. First, his
casting problem was solved with the African Americans in his
38-member multi-racial ensemble. Cessalee Smith-Stovall has already
delighted audiences this summer in “Barnum,” “How to Succeed” and
“Mame.” Other African Americans performing in lead roles are Michael
Howard and Leo Sheridan.

In addition, Mutimer has cast Kate Varley and David Button from
DeSales University in two of the leading roles and Lori Sivick,
another local theater mainstay, in another.

“Some people have asked why don’t we just do the usual kinds of
summer musicals,” says Mutimer. “But this is such a wonderful show
and I don’t want to keep doing what everyone else does.”

So far this summer Mutimer has had a good track record presenting
seldom-produced Broadway musicals. The season opened with an
energetic “Barnum,” the offbeat Cy Coleman musical bio of Phineas T.
Barnum. Next came “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”

And now comes the most ambitious of the three. Not only does
“Ragtime” have a multi-racial cast, but it also has a sweeping story
line and many scenic changes, including a trip to the North Pole. The
cast must play real-life characters ranging from Harry Houdini, Emma
Goldman, Robert Peary, Harry Thaw, Stanford White and Evelyn Nesbitt,
the original “girl on the red velvet swing.”

Then there’s the need for period costumes for a large cast — the
original script calls for 60 players; Mutimer’s ensemble will play
double roles.

In order to create thematic unity, each family has its own color
scheme — white and navy for the WASPS, rusts and olives for the
African Americans and blacks and grays for the Jewish immigrants.
Mutimer is working with local costumer Scaramouche.

So with all these pluses, why is “Ragtime” such a risk?

“Our real problem, is that people don’t know this show and so it has
to be a big sell. People in this area seem to want to see shows that
they know. So tell them that the score is wonderful and it’s fun to
stage. We are even building Evelyn Nesbitt’s velvet swing.”

“Ragtime,” 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday and Aug.
26, through Aug. 28, Main Street Theatre, 10 S. Main St., Quakertown.
Tickets: $20; $18, seniors, students; $12, Wednesday; $16, Sunday.
215-536-3545.

PERSONAL STORIES

Muhlenberg Summer Music Festival director Charles Richter also took a
risk this summer by presenting a new revue, “Made in America: Irving
Berlin,” which runs through Sunday. But what makes this show about
the immigration experience less risky is a well-known score of Irving
Berlin songs and New York professionals Shawn Churchman and David
Bishop running the show. In addition Churchman has brought along two
of his original cast members — Silva Mateosian and Mary Lou Barber.

Mateosian says it was her professional friendship with Churchman that
got her her first role in the show when it premiered two years ago in
Stamford, Conn. But it was her Armenian ancestry which got her the
callback to reprise the role in Allentown.

“There aren’t a lot of Armenians in the theater,” says Mateosian, who
plays a shy, nave Armenian immigrant. Mateosian morphs from an Old
World European dressed in a shawl singing “God Bless America” to a
show-stopping flapper dressed in black sequins who heats up the tempo
with a flirtatious rendition of a lesser known Berlin romp, “I Left
the Door Open and My Daddy Walked In.”

“When I was first cast in the show, I thought we would just be
singing some Berlin lyrics and all we had to do was learn some new
songs,” says Mateosian. “But soon Shawn started asking us to go and
research our own families and come back with stories. I learned a lot
about my family and Shawn used a lot of my stories.”

Mateosian says her father was Armenian and her mother was born “a
true blue American.” She knew that her grandmother was a survivor of
the Armenian genocide in Turkey, and that her father came to this
country at the age of 23. But she did not know she could trace her
theatrical talents to her mother’s side. Her maternal grandfather was
a dentist who also toured in minstrel companies. He played a woman
because he was a small man. “He developed a funny alter ego named
Sadie,” says Mateosian, adding her maternal grandmother was part of a
family orchestra that played in theaters in the days of the silent
movies.

“Made in America: Irving Berlin,” 8 p.m. today through Saturday, 2
p.m. Sunday, ends Sunday. Muhlenberg College, Trexler Pavilion, 24th
and Chew streets, Allentown. Tickets: $28; $25, seniors; $15, youth.
484-664-3333.

Myra Yellin Outwater is a freelance arts writer and member of New
York’s Drama Desk, a group of journalists who bestow the annual Drama
Desk Awards.

Go Guide Editor Jodi Duckett

[email protected]

Glendale News Press
LATimes.com
Aug 12 2004

Languages added to abuse hotline

Armenian callers looking for help for domestic violence will be
routed to Glendale YWCA.

By Darleene Barrientos, News-Press

GLENDALE – An abused woman seeking help shouldn’t be required to
speak English to get it.

That’s the conclusion officials with the Los Angeles County District
Attorney’s office came to when they decided to add Armenian, Tagalog,
Japanese, Thai and Khmer to the options of languages spoken on the
county’s Domestic Violence Hotline.

Since the county has always offered English, Spanish and Korean,
along with Mandarin, Cantonese and Vietnamese, the Glendale YWCA was
tapped to offer telephone operators who can speak Armenian to victims
of domestic violence.

“This area is just diversifying more and more,” said Carol Baker,
director of crime prevention and youth services for the district
attorney. “We have lots of new communities, lots of different
cultures. They’re large enough so they can be very insular, but
domestic violence cuts across all cultures. Language shouldn’t be a
barrier.”

Women looking for help can call (800) 978-3600 and ask for an
Armenian speaker, who will listen to the caller and refer her to the
nearest shelter or service center. The Center for the Pacific Asian
Family will field calls for Asian languages, including Tagalog or
Korean.

Spanish, Armenian, Korean and Tagalog are the four languages besides
English most spoken in Glendale homes, according to the Glendale
Unified School District.

About 35% to 40% of Glendale’s population is of Armenian descent and
the city is believed to have the largest population of Armenians
outside of the home country. But Armenian families are scattered
throughout Los Angeles County, in areas like Hollywood, Pasadena,
North Hollywood, Van Nuys and Montebello, YWCA case manager Tamara
Tombakian said.

Many Armenian women looking for help are surprised to hear someone
speaking their own language, Tombakian said.

“They don’t realize there is organizations of people who will
actually help them,” she said.

But being able to understand and be understood is so important to
someone who is being abused.

“Something as delicate as this – family issues, cultural beliefs – I
think if we miss a lot of that emotion, if we miss a lot of the
experience that person has gone through, you don’t get the exact
emotion,” Tombakian said.

“It also inhibits the caller. If they’re trying to speak a language
that’s not their primary language, they’re trying to think about how
to say what they’ve gone through instead of trying to get support.”

ARKA News Agency
Aug 5 2004

Handing of memory badge `15 Years Since Earthquake in Armenia’ takes
place in Russian Embassy to Yerevan

75 graduates of children’s homes in Armenia to be provided with
housing in 2004

Head of Cba Tigran Sargsyan leaves for Kiev today

Cultural arrangements to be held in Nagorno Karabakh in frames of One
nation, one culture festival

A memorable silver coin devoted to the plays of Football- 2006 World
Cup to be put in circulation in Armenia from September 1, 2004

ARKA News Agency publishes a quarterly bulletin `Activity Indicators
of Banks of Armenia’ by the results of Q2, 2004

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

HANDING OF MEMORY BADGE `15 YEARS SINCE EARTHQUAKE IN ARMENIA’ TAKES
PLACE IN RUSSIAN EMBASSY TO YEREVAN

YEREVAN, August 5. /ARKA/. Handing of memory badge `15 Years Since
Earthquake in Armenia’ took place in Russian Embassy to Yerevan.
According to RF Ambassador to Armenia Anatoly Drukov, the badge is
handed to active participants of rescue and restoration works in
disaster area. According to him, the award was instituted by
Organization Committee on Conduction of Activities dedicated to 15
years since earthquake in Armenia, created in 2003 in Russia and
headed by Nikolay Ryjkov. Drukov added that today’s handing is a
symbol of indissoluble bonds of friendship between the two people.
Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Director General of Interstroy
Development Vardkes Artsruni in his turn said that he was surprised
how deep and warm did they welcome this date in Russia.
He said that the organization committee issued 20-25 minute film
dedicated to this occasion, with memories of the participants of the
rescue works and shots of the tragedy.
Memory badge `15 Years Since Earthquake in Armenia’ was handed to 80
people, including RF Ambassador to Armenia Anatoly Drukov, his son
who participated in rescue works in Vanadzor and President of RA
National Science Academy Fadey Sargsian, the Governor of Lori Region
Genrik Kochinian and others. L.D. –0–

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

75 GRADUATES OF CHILDREN’S HOMES IN ARMENIA TO BE PROVIDED WITH
HOUSING IN 2004

YEREVAN, August 5. /ARKA/. 75 graduates of children homes in Armenia
will be provided with housing in 2004, RA Deputy Minister of Labor
and Social Issues Ashot Yesayan stated today. According to him, the
program includes all graduates of Armenian children homes starting
with 1992. He said that as of 2003 housing problem was settled for 35
of them, the rest 180 graduates will receive homes in 2005. He also
added that it was possible to settle the housing problem for most of
the children in 2004, however due to growth of prices on real estate
their number made only 75.
As Yesayan stated earlier, donor assistance to Armenia in the frames
of program of assistance to children in 2004 to make about $2
million.
There are 1150 children living in 8 state and 4 charity children
homes in Armenia. L.D. –0–

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

HEAD OF CBA TIGRAN SARGSYAN LEAVES FOR KIEV TODAY

YEREVAN, August 5. /ARKA/. The Head of RA CB Tigran Sargsyan today
left for Kiev upon the invitation of Sergey Tigipko, Head of CB of
the Ukraine. According to the CBA Press Service Department it is
presumed that Heads of Central Banks will sign an agreement on
cooperation in area of control overcredit organizations on August 6.
The sides will also discuss the policies of both Central Banks
related to monetary and credit, currency spheres concerning the
issues of banking activities and bank control regulation. The
Armenian delegation will also have meetings with Alexander Sugonyako,
President of Ukraine Bank Association. The RA CB delegation consists
of Heads of bank control, juridical, bank methodology, monetary and
credit policy departments, as well as Samvel Chzmatchyan, Head of
Union of Armenian Banks and directors of Armeniancommercial banks.
L.V. –0–

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

CULTURAL ARRANGEMENTS TO BE HELD IN NAGORNO KARABAKH IN FRAMES OF ONE
NATION, ONE CULTURE FESTIVAL

STEPANAKERT, August 5. /ÀÐÊÀ/. Various cultural arrangements will
take place in NKR in frames of One nation, one culture festival which
will start on August 15 in Yerevan. As the own reporter of ARKA
agency in Stepanakert informs, 1500 representatives of Armenian
Diaspora will arrive in Armenia to particiupate in the festival. The
aim of the festival is the strengthening of cultural links between
Armenia and Diaspora, a single presentation of Armenian culture,
creation of mechanisms for effective cooperation. The festival will
start with gala – performance in National Academic Opera and Ballet
Theatre after Spendiarov in Yerevan and will accomplish with a
concert on Republic Square on August 22. More than 1500 Armenian
cultural figures from Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh, France, Austria,
Great Britain, the USA, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Russia, Georgia and
Kazakhstan.
The festival is held by the Ministry of Culture and Youth, Armenia
pan-Armenian Fund and One nation, one culture Foundation under the
high patronage of RA President. L.V.–0–

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

A MEMORABLE SILVER COIN DEVOTED TO THE PLAYS OF FOOTBALL- 2006 WORLD
CUP TO BE PUT IN CIRCULATION IN ARMENIA FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2004

YEREVAN, August 5. /ARKA/. A memorable silver coin, devoted to the
plays of Football- 2006 World Cup, will be put in circulation in
Armenia from September 1, 2004. According to CBA press service
department, such a decision was made on the session of CBA Board on
August 4, 2004. The nominal price of the coin is AMD 100. A.H –0 –

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

ARKA NEWS AGENCY PUBLISHES A QUARTERLY BULLETIN `ACTIVITY INDICATORS
OF BANKS OF ARMENIA’ BY THE RESULTS OF Q2, 2004

YEREVAN, August 5. /ARKA/. ARKA News Agency published a quarterly
bulletin `Activity Indicators of Banks of Armenia’ by the results of
Q2, 2004. The bulletin is compiled on the base of financial reports
of banking organisations published in the press, as well as on
additional information provided by banks. ARKA is grateful to all
banks that shared additional information of their activities.
The bulletin consists of 70 pages of information on banks’ activity
indicators in tables and contain 9 main sections characterising the
banking sector: 1.Geberal Characteristics of Banks. 2. Assets. 3.
Liabilities. 4. Active and Passive Operations of Banks with
non-Residents. 5. Capital. 6. Profit/ Negative Profit. 7. Information
about Cash Flow. 8. Liquidity and Capitalisation Level. 9. Indicators
of Profitability of Banks.
The information in the Bulletin allows having general idea of the
financial state of RA Banks and carrying out comparative analysis of
their activity.
ARKA News Agency is the first agency in Armenia that began publishing
quarterly bulleting `Activity Indicators of Banks of Armenia’ from
1999. A.H. –0–