Author: Tumanian Talar

PanARMENIAN.Net

Baku Militaristic Statements Cause Nervousness among
Those in Arms

08.04.2006 00:01 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `I wouldn’t like to comment on the
statements by the Russian President and look for ties
between the situation in Kosovo and Karabakh, but I am
convinced that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict can be
settled if the main condition is fulfilled. The
Karabakh people should be granted the right to decide
their future,’ Armenia Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian stated in an interview with Vremya Novostey
newspaper.

In his words, neither of the parties benefits from the
protraction. `Azerbaijan doesn’t rule out a military
settlement. But one should keep in mind that a
generation of people knowing no other situation but
the present one is growing in Nagorno Karabakh. And it
will be hard to change anything. We reiterate that the
resolution should be peaceful and base on compromise
by both sides,’ the RA FM stated.

At the same time he remarked that Baku’s militaristic
statements on the readiness to settle the problem by
force cause nervousness among soldiers, officers and
all those in arms. `They commence fire… Pay attention
to the fact that the ceasefire is violated not at the
Karabakh and Azeri contact line but at the contact
line of Azerbaijan and Armenia. This way Baku send
signals to the international community that the
conflict is between Armenia and Azerbaijan, what is
not true,’ Vartan Oskanian said.

VIVA CELL NOT READY TO PURCHASE 90% OF “ARMENTEL” SHARES

Yerevan, April 7. ArmInfo. VIVA Cell, second mobile connection
operator in Armenia, is not ready to purchase 90% of “ArmenTel” shares
from OTE, Greek company. Ralph Yirikian, general director of VIVA
Cell, informed ArmInfo. “We have just entered the Armenian market of
mobile connection,” he said. At the same time, he added that such an
opportunity isn’t excluded in the future. It’s worth mentioning that
OTE anounced about its decision to sell 90% Of “ArmenTel” shares,
after the consultations with RA Government, recently.

RA Government sold 90% of “ArmenTel” shares to OTE at $142,5 millions
in 1997. The rest 10% of the shares still belong to RA
Government. While VIVA Cell company became second mobile connection
operator in Armenia since June 1, 2005

CORRUPTION IS A MAJOR OBSTACLE TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ARMENIA,
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS STATE

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The 2-day international conference “The
Role of the RA National Assembly- Civil Society Cooperation in Fight
against Corruption” finished its work on April 7. In their concluding
statements, the conference participants stated once again that
corruption is a major obstacle to Armenia’s sustainable development
and promotion of democratic reforms. The newly established Armenian
national body of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against
Corruption (GOPAC) also made a statement. The body includes a
representative of each NA group and faction, except the Republican
Party of Armenia and the opposition faction Justice with their large
membership, which will have two representatives. According to the
statement, the creation of such a multiparty structure “will allow to
form a common political will and reach an agreement on creation and
development of mechanisms of fight against corruption in those spheres
that are under the jurisdiction of the parliament.” Director of the
OSCE Armenia Office Vladimir Pryakhin welcomed some proposals of the
conference participants, including the idea of setting up a social
council on coordination of the fight against corruption. According to
him, the implementation of the anticorruption strategical program,
which was adopted by the RA government in 2003, will finish in 2006,
and an international working group will soon summarize the results and
develop, jointly with Armenian authorities, a list of proposals to be
put in practice in the future.

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
April 7, 2006 Friday

ARMENIA MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AFFAIRS HEAD VARDAN OSKANYAN WILL
DISCUSS IN MOSCOW THE STATE OF THINGS IN KARABAKH

An important item of the negotiations agenda for Armenia Ministry of
Interior Affairs Head Vardan Oskanyan in Moscow will be situation
regulation in Nagorny Karabakh. Russian Federation Ministry of
Interior Affairs official representative Mikhail Kamynin stated that
on the eve of Vardan Oskanyan’s business visit to Moscow on April
6-7. The meetings of Armenia Ministry of Interior Affairs Head with
Russian Federation Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov and
Security council Secretary Igor Ivanov will take place during the
visit. Besides, the sides will consider meeting of the agreement
terms concerning transport and fuel energy spheres. Opinion exchange
concerning co-operation on the world-level, actions coordination in
international organizations, as well as most important regional
problems will take place.

Source: Information agency “Turan” (Baku), April 4, 2006

RESULTS OF 3rd REPUBLICAN BEAUTY PHOTOCONTEST OF DISABLED WOMEN SUMMED UP

Noyan Tapan
Apr 06 2006

YEREVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The results of 3rd republican
beauty photocontest of disabled women organized by the “Unison”
NGO were summed up on April 6. 52 16-40-year-old disabled women from
different regions of the country had submitted their photographs for
the contest. As “Unison” Executive Director Armen Alaverdian said at
the solemn ceremony of prize distribution, the goal of the contest
is to show the society that “disability does not close the doors of
the beauty before women”. “The disabled people should be perceived as
full members of the society and they can be more active, not avoid
and take part in all kinds of events,” A.Alaverdian mentioned. The
organization had instituted prizes on “Miss Beauty”, “Vice-Miss”,
“Miss Attraction” and “Miss Smile” nominations, as well as a special
prize, “Unison’s” Charm”, and another 6 encouraging prizes. Anna
Martirosian from Yerevan, Narine Ghukasian from Abovian, Henrietta
Khachatrian from Echmiadzin, Marina Yeshilian from Yerevan became
winners on the above-mentioned nominations.

ARMENIAN SIDE IS READY FOR THE PROSPECT OF SETTLEMENT

Lragir.am
05.04.2006

Armenia and Azerbaijan are not interested in hampering the settlement
of the conflict over Nagorno Karabakh. During the April 5 press
conference this was stated by the EU Special Representatives on
the South Caucasus Peter Semnebi. According to the news agency ARKA,
Semnebi said the year 2006 can be an important year for the settlement
of the Karabakh conflict.

The special representative of the EU mentioned that every opportunity
to settle the conflict must be used. He stated that he must lay special
emphasis on the role of the EU in the settlement of the conflict. He
assures that this issue is the peculiarity of the mandate of the
special representative. He mentioned that during his visit to Armenia
the leadership of the country assured that the Armenian party can
see prospects of conflict settlement and is ready for it.

KLO DENOUNCES PROSECUTOR’S INTENTION TO PASS SEVERE SENTENCE UPON SAFAROV

Azerbaijan Press Agency
April 5 2006

The Garabagh Liberation Organization (GLO) today issued a statement
with regard to the trial of Azerbaijani Army officer Ramil Safarov,
who is indicted for murder of Armenian officer Gurgen Margarian,
in Budapest, Hungary.

The GLO informed APA that it condemned pan-Armenian approach of
Prosecutor Kish Veronika and Judge Andrash Vaskutin by asking severe
sentence for the Azerbaijani officer. In the statement, the GLO
also denounced Budapest city court being in favor of the interests
of Armenians.

“The Budapest city court intends to administer a cruel punishment
on Ramil Safarov by the judge Andrash Vaskutin. This case arouses
serious doubts that Armenia has bribed the court. The Budapest city
court and the judge Vaskutin should renounce their biased approach
and pass a fair verdict,” the GLO stressed in the statement.

The Garabagh Liberation Organization also said that injustice approach
by the Hungarian authorities and court towards Ramil Safarov will be
given a response.

11 SPECIALITIES OF 6 EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS PASSED COMPENDIOUS CERTIFICATION SHOW NEGATIVE RESULTS

Noyan Tapan
Apr 03 2006

YEREVAN, APRIL 3, NOYAN TAPAN. 20 educational institutions, 24 ones
of higher and 19 of middle professional specialities, were allowed to
participate in the compendious certification examinations of graduates
of a number of accredited non-state educational institutions. Mher
Makichian, the Chief of the Agency of Licence and Accreditation Service
of the RA Ministry of Education and Culture informed about this at
the March 31 press-conference. As a result of 70 subject examinations
organized during the compendious certification, according the Chief
of the agency, 11 specialities of 6 educational institutions were
certified negatively. According to M.Makichian, specialities got
negative certification of those educational institutions lose the
right of participating in the next, 2006 stage of the compendious
certification of the accreditation process. Graduates participated
in the compendious certification got the most, 60% negative results
in the “Law” and “Finance and Credit” specialities. The Chief of
the agency also informed that the edited variant of the new order
of accreditation worked out by the RA Ministry of Education and
Science will be presented to the discussion of the RA Government
soon. It’s envisaged by this variant to define the circle of
those implementing the examination as well as to fix new terms
of state accreditation with 5-8 years duraction, instead of the
termless warrants defined till now. 72 non-state institutions of
higher education function in Armenia at present, 5 of which are
branches of foreign accredited institutions of higher education,
28 ones are fully and 7 ones are partly accredited, and others are
not accredited institutions. According to the accreditation order,
an education institution, 75% of specialities of which is accredited,
is considered fully accredited.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (E.)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

April 3, 2006
___________________

HOLY WEEK AT ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL WILL BE OBSERVED APRIL 9 THROUGH APRIL 16,
EASTER SUNDAY

St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral will observe Holy Week, April 9 through 16,
with a series of special services, culminating in the Easter Sunday
celebration on April 16, 2006.

Holy Week is the sacred commemoration of the dramatic events leading to the
Resurrection of Jesus Christ, His victory over death and the redemption of
humanity and the fallen world. The Armenian Church re-enacts these episodes
in the days leading up to Easter. What follows is a brief schedule of Holy
Week events:

PALM SUNDAY–the commemoration of Jesus’ triumphal entry into
Jerusalem–falls on April 9. Fr. Mardiros Chevian (dean of St. Vartan
Cathedral) will be the celebrant for the services, which will begin with a
Morning Service at 9:30 a.m., and will continue with the Divine Liturgy at
10:30 a.m. The Turun-Patzek or “Door-Opening” Service will be held after
the Divine Liturgy.

April 13 is GREAT AND HOLY THURSDAY, and the day’s services memori¬alize the
Last Supper, Jesus’ vigil in the Garden of Gethsemane, His arrest and trial.
Two separate services will be celebrated on this day. In the morning, the
Divine Liturgy, beginning at 11:00 a.m. This will be followed by a
luncheon.

In the evening, the “Washing of the Feet” ceremony will start at 7:00 p.m.,
with the Khavaroom or Vigil Service following at 8:30 p.m. Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese, will officiate. During the
Washing of Feet ceremony, twelve individuals will serve as surrogates for
the apostles. This year, in recognition of the 1600th anniversary of the
Armenian alphabet, the twelve will be selected from individuals with the
names Sahag, Mesrob, Vramshabouh, and names associated with the Holy
Translators.

The crucifixion and death of Christ will be observed on April 14–GREAT AND
HOLY FRIDAY–and again two services will occur. The Order of the
Cruci¬fixion of Christ will begin at 12:00 noon. This will be a short
service enabling working people in Manhattan to attend, and it will be
followed by a luncheon in the Diocesan Complex’s Yerevan Room.

That same evening, at 7:30 p.m., the Order of the Entombment of the Lord, or
Taghoom Service, will take place.

On GREAT AND HOLY SATURDAY, April 15, the Divine Liturgy will be preceded by
a scripture-reading ceremony at 6:00 p.m. Easter Eve Liturgy will begin at
7:00 p.m. The St. Vartan Cathedral Youth Choir, under the direction of Maro
Partamian, will sing the liturgy. (The St. Vartan Cathedral Youth Choir is
made up of students from the Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum, and Diocesan Armenian
Saturday schools of New York and New Jersey.) Students of the Diocesan
Khrimian Lyceum will also provide the Scripture readings. A reception will
follow the services.

The drama of Holy Week will culminate on EASTER SUNDAY, April 16. Easter is
the central holy day of the Christian calendar, and commemorates the
discovery of Christ’s empty tomb and the news of His glorious Resur¬rection.
Matins will begin at 9:30 a.m. The Divine Liturgy will begin at 10:30 a.m.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America, will celebrate the Liturgy and deliver the homily. The St.
Vartan Cathedral Choirs will sing the Divine Liturgy under the direction of
Maestro Khoren Mekanejian. Florence Avakian will accompany on the organ.

Immediately following the service, the traditional Antasdan ceremony, or
“Blessing of the Fields,” will be conducted on the cathedral plaza. This
will be followed by the release of doves ceremony on the cathedral plaza,
where Haig Dadourian will serve as “godfather.”

Please note that after a year hiatus, the annual Easter Luncheon and program
has been reinstated. The luncheon–featuring a traditional Armenian lamb
dinner–will follow the services in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium.
The reception will include a home-blessing service, entertainment by the
Yeraz Dance Ensemble directed by Karnig Nercessian, and the recognition of
the various names associated with the holiday. The donation for the
luncheon for adults is $30; for children twelve and under, $20.

For more information on these observances, call the Diocese of the Armenian
Church at (212) 686-0710. St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral is located at 630
Second Avenue (corner of 34th Street) in New York City.

–4/3/06

OSKANIAN CONCLUDES HIS VISITS AT THE UN

Panorama.am
14:39 01/04/06

Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian concluded two days of visits with the
UN leadership in New York. On Thursday March 30 and Friday March 31,
Minister Oskanian met with Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the UN,
Jan Eliasson, President of the 60th Session of the General Assembly of
the UN and Kemal Dervis, Administrator of the UN Development Program.

With Secretary General Annan and with GA President Eliasson, Minister
Oskanian spoke about the Nagorno Karabakh resolution process as
well as recent ceasefire violations. He expressed Armenia’s serious
concern that the military rhetoric of Azerbaijan’s leaders is finding
its expression in an increasingly large number of violations by the
Azerbaijani military along the line of contact.

Armenia’s Foreign Minister also discussed UN reforms, and welcomed
the formation of the new Human Rights Council, expressing Armenia’s
interest in remaining engaged in human rights issues.

In these meetings, and during his talks with Mr.

Dervis of the UNDP, Minister Oskanian also stressed Armenia’s
commitment to rural development. He stressed that the Millennium
Challenge Compact, recently signed with the US Government, will create
a momentum and that the Armenian government is committed to building
on this momentum with a comprehensive plan for rural development that
is based on a public-private partnership which includes Armenia’s
Diaspora, Armenia’s business community, the Armenian government and
international organizations.

Press and information department of Ministry of foreign affairs of
the Republic of Armenia