Pan Armenian News
EDINBURGH CITY COUNCIL POSTPONED ADOPTION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION
DOCUMENT
01.07.2005 03:56
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The city council of Edinburgh June 30 postponed the
adoption of the draft document on the Armenian Genocide recognition.
According to Zaman Turkish newspaper, the decision was made after the
Armenian Genocide seminar, which was held after the `initiative’ of the
England-Turkey Dialogue Committee.
Armenpress
GEORGIA TO CONSTRUCT NEW POWER LINE FROM ARMENIA
TBILISI, JULY 1, ARMENPRESS: Georgia’s fuel and energy minister Nika
Gilauri announced on June 30 about a soonest start of construction of a new
power line from Armenia, which he said would kick off in a month. He said
the new power line with a capacity of 330 Kwatt/h will become an alternative
electricity supply source eliminating Georgia’s full independence on
Kavkasioni power line.
The construction of a new power line- Gardabani-Hrazdan, will be mainly
funded by Georgia’s government, which is set to release some $12 million for
this. The exact date of the start of construction will be specified during a
Gilauri’s visit to Yerevan next week.
Lithuania to assist Armenia in European integration
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
30 Jun 05
[Presenter] Lithuania regards relations with Armenia as one of the
priorities of its foreign policy and is trying to assume the role of
a link between the South Caucasus and the European Union, Lithuanian
President Valdas Adamkus said during a meeting with Armenian Prime
Minister Andranik Markaryan. During the meeting at the Lithuanian
president’s residency, Valdas Adamkus and Andranik Markaryan noted
that bilateral political and economic relations have been established
between the two countries. Despite these relations, economic relations
do not meet the current potential. The Vilnius business forum would
be a new impetus to the development of Armenian-Lithuanian trade and
economic relations.
[Correspondent Tereza Kasyan from Lithuania over video of meetings]
The second day of Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan’s visit was
full of officials meetings. Andranik Markaryan met Lithuanian Prime
Minister Algirdas Brazauskas this morning. They discussed issues of
European integration and economic relations. Lithuania is ready to
assist Armenia in using its experience. The Lithuanian experience of
integration into Europe can be useful for Armenia. The sides noted
the importance of close cooperation between Armenian and Lithuanian
representatives within European and international organizations. An
agreement was reached on preparing and training relevant specialists
in issues of European integration.
After the meetings at the Lithuanian government, the Armenian
delegation went to the Lithuanian president’s residency. Along with
economic issues and European integration, Andranik Markaryan and
Valdas Adamkus discussed security in the South Caucasus and prospects
for the development of Armenian-Turkish relations.
After the meetings, the Armenian delegation, which includes ministers
and businessmen, went to the Vilnius business centre where an
Armenian-Lithuanian business forum had started.
Tereza Kasyan, Vagram Stepanyan, “Aylur”.
FUJITSU SIEMENS CONSIDERS UZBEKISTAN AS BRIDGEHEAD IN THE REGION
Asia Pulse; Jul 01, 2005
TASHKENT, July 1 Asia Pulse – Uzbekistan is a bridgehead for Fujitsu
Siemens Computers the expansion of its presence in Central Asia and
Caucasus, a top manager of Fujitsu Siemens Computers said at a press
conference dedicated to the end of the financial year.
Toni Razvadovski, Vice-President of Eastern Europe Department of
Fujitsu Siemens Computers, said that Fujitsu Siemens Computers
considers Uzbekistan as bridgehead for expansion of its presence
in the region as its sales of professional computers and servers
are increasing.
Fujitsu Siemens Computers recorded 62 per cent growth of sales in the
region, including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia,
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia. Around half of that growth was
attributed to Uzbekistan.
Nuron, Avers and L&M are partners of Fujitsu Siemens Computers in
Uzbekistan. Nuron is only authorised service partner of company in
the country.
Fujitsu Siemens Computers implemented several large projects in
Uzbekistan. The company supplied 25 servers and 540 computers to
Internal Affairs Ministry and 4 servers and 300 computers to Hamkor
Bank in Andijan.
Fujitsu Siemens Computers also won a tender for the supply of computer
equipment within a programme for the modernisation of the education
system.
The company will equip 14 colleges in Uzbekistan with computers,
laptops and servers. The corresponding agreement was signed between
company and Uzbek Higher and Secondary Education Ministry on 24 June.
Officials visit Tsalka
The Messenger, Georgia
June 30 2005
Head of the parliamentary committee for human rights Elene Tevdoradze
and Deputy Ombudsman Bacho Akhalaya visited Tsalka region in eastern
Georgia on June 29.
Their mission is to study the situation in the region and find
out causes for the confrontation between the local ethnic-Armenian
population and special forces of internal affairs ministry deployed
in Tsalka last May.
The committee plans to hold a special meeting dedicated to the
situation in the region.
“We are not going neglect the problems of Georgian citizens who are
not ethnic Georgians,” Tevdoradze said prior to leaving.
Forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs have been deployed in the
region since last year due to the conflicts between the rejoins many
ethnic groups.
Azeri FM says Armenians to be re-settled if peace accord signed
Baku Today, Azerbaijan
June 28 2005
Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh region will be re-settled if Azerbaijan
and Armenia sign a peace accord, Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
said.
Mammadyarov said that relevant provisions were reflected in the report
prepared by the OSCE fact-finding mission that visited Nagorno Karabakh
in February to look into the illegal settlement of Armenians in the
occupied Azerbaijani regions.
The Minister noted that the report indicated that Armenians have been
illegally settled in the occupied areas that Azerbaijani residents
were ousted from and should therefore be resettled. Azerbaijan’s
position on the issue is supported by the mediating OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs and the international community, he added.
“TURKEY IN A NEW GEOPOLITICAL SITUATION: EXPECTATIONS IN ARMENIA”
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, JUNE 27. ARMINFO. A Round Table Discussion “Turkey In A
New Geopolitical Situation: Expectations In Armenia” Will Be Held At
Congress Hotel In Yerevan On June 28. The Organizer Is The Center For
Strategic Analysis SPECTRUM. The Event Is Sponsored By The Friedrich
Ebert Foundation With Support Of German Embassy In Armenia. Dr.
Gayane Novikova, Director Of The SPECTRUM, H.E. Ambassador Heike
Peitsch, Germany (Confirmed) H.E. Ambassador Armen Baibourtian, Deputy
Minister Of Foreign Affairs Of RA (Confirmed) Will Make Welcoming
Speeches. Well-Known Armenian Politologists, Scientist-Historians
And Economists Are Expected To Speak At The Roundtable Discussion.
Free Artsakh, free elections
Editorial
Yerkir/Arm
June 17, 2005
These days, issues related to the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
parliamentary election scheduled for June 19 are in the public
focus. The political life of the republic is almost entirely
associated with the elections, and despite the pre-election fever, the
environment is peaceful.
Because the Karabakh conflict has not yet been settled, the election
has not only internal significance, but also — and even more– a
foreign policy impact.
For years, the politicians and statesmen of the both Armenian states
as well as the Diaspora have been pointing to two circumstances when
dealing with international community and organizations evolved in the
peace talks. Firstly, Nagorno Karabakh Republic is an established
state, there are well-established public and political institutions
and this society is on a much higher level in respect with development
and democracy than Azerbaijan, which is moving toward totalitarianism.
Secondly, a normal existence of a democratic Artsakh within
totalitarian Azerbaijan is absolutely unimaginable since these two
have noting in common and are incompatible in terms of ethnicity,
government, and culture.
This thesis is about to be seriously tested. In case a free and fair
election is conducted in Artsakh, regardless who wins, the entire
Armenian people will win. But if the election is manipulated hurting
the NKR image, the whole nation will loose no matter who gets how many
seats in the parliament. Free Artsakh needs free and fair elections.
Armenia Now, Armenia
June 24 2005
Natural High: Odzun marries beauty and history in spectacular fashion
By Gayane Lazarian
ArmeniaNow Reporter
To feel the Lori area in your palm, to merge with its sky and nature
one should go up to the village of Odzun, 1,150 meters above the sea
level, off the highway running from Vanadzor to Alaverdi.
Wonder world: the houses of Odzun are built on the edge of ravine
Ashot Dzavaryan, who drives a minibus between Odzun and Yerevan,
says: `Those visiting the village for the first time always have a
question – What were the people thinking when they decided to settle
down here? But they answer it themselves when they look around: here
is a wonder of the world!’
Odzun is situated on a high plateau near the ravine on the left bank
of the river Debed. In front of it are the Chatin Dagh mountains
(meaning Difficult Mountains) while above Odzun are the mountains of
Tsengo, Salart and Golurt covered with virgin forests. To the right
of the village is the well-known Mount Lalvar, which means the flower
mountain.
`I would go to other countries only to be able to compare them with
our nature and countryside. Ours is the best,’ says 65-year-old
locksmith from Odzun Seyran Hovasapyan.
One of his ancestors, priest Hovasap, was a builder of Odzun’s domed
basilica church (6th Century). His ashes are located near the
northern gate.
Construction of the church was started by the Zakaryan rulers, who
are considered Odzun’s first residents. Seyran says that the village
consisted of 30 tribes, of which only 7 or 8 remain now. During the
Russian-Persian war in 1765, some people from Karabakh settled in
Odzun.
Today, 5,000 people live here. Villagers say that Odzun’s name means
`to consecrate or sanctify’. A villager, Arsen Titanyan, says it was
also called Uzunlar.
`The houses were built in a direct line to the edge of the ravine,
like a string,’ he says.
Seyran says that life here warms up in summer as the village fills
with tourists. During Soviet years, they exceeded the local
population by 1.5 times. Now again, tourists visit often and pay to
stay overnight in villagers’ houses. Many prefer to stay in the Odzun
guest house two kilometers from the village near a forest. From
there, guests have a full view over the village.
`The guests of our village are reluctant to leave. The local
mountains, countryside, waters, air – it’s a different world!’ says
the minibus driver.
Monuments from different ages can be seen everywhere in Odzun and
surrounding areas. A sculpture to Smbat Bagratuni stands in the
center of the village near the church, and there are two medieval
cemeteries with numerous tombstones and khachkars.
One of Odzun’s treasures is its life-giving waters. One source is in
the forest in front of the holiday hotel. Hotel worker Andranik says
that many sick people come here and recover with the aid of these
waters. Seyran says people from as far as America and Australia come
for the water and take it home in vessels.
Still today clay pipes are preserved in the village through which
centuries ago the people of Odzun channeled the water from the
mountains to the village. They discovered its curative properties in
this way:
`Sixteen hundred years ago, Queen Parandzem was passing by with a
large army. The army made a stopover in Odzun and an epidemic broke
out. They began to drink water from Odzun’s springs and the epidemic
stopped. Queen Parandzem prayed and said: `Thanks God, you have
bestowed life-giving water on us.’
The guest house’s 42-year-old chef Geghetsik Hovhannisyan says that
besides water the area is rich in various useful herbs – thyme, mint,
cat thyme, motherwort, milfoil.
Alpine air and pure springs make natural food of Odzun especially
delicious
`We always treat our guests to Odzun’s famous thyme khashlama. It was
handed down to us by our forefathers. It is best made of lamb. We cut
it into pieces, pour cold water on it and put it on the fire. Then we
add tomato and pepper. Five or ten minutes before taking it off the
fire, we add thyme,’ explains Geghetsik.
She gets down to her job and cooks meals from clean natural rural
products. Butter, eggs, matsun, vegetables, cheese, sour cream – all
this is purchased from the village. Many tourists come to buy things
from villagers.
Home-baked bread is sold everywhere in Odzun. Unlike other regions of
Armenia, lavash is not baked here. Shop assistant Lusik explains:
`This bread is baked in special bakeries made of bricks. Every house
has a `bakery’. They bake 15 bread loafs at a time and eat them for
several days.’
The gate of Odzun’s domed church is closed. The watchman, 50-year-old
Garnik Davtyan, comes out of the house next door and unlocks the
gate. He also acts as a guide.
`The church was reconstructed in the 8th Century by Hovhan Odznetsi,
and during the Soviet times it was turned into a storehouse. My
mother worked as the manager of that storehouse. I remember I was a
little kid and they took out the parchments and burned them in the
yard,’ says Garnik.
Generally, the church is open on Sundays when a priest comes from
Alaverdi. Garnik says it has a secret tunnel, used to protect priests
against enemies.
The secret 1.5-kilometer path towards the south-east of the village
leads to the Surb Nshan Church on the plane near the ravine. Arsen,
standing at the edge of the ravine, points to numerous holes in the
rocks. He says that descending the ravine is dangerous, but there are
special village guides who serve tourists.
Garnik recalls that last year a group of tourists wanted to go
through one of the openings, but after 30 or 40 meters they backed
off as the way was closed.
Surb Nshan’s day is marked on the first Sunday of November, when
people come on a pilgrimage and at night make 15 to 20 fires. Seyran
says that Surb Nshan was a brave warlord and that it was in honor of
his victories that the church in his name was built in the ravine.
The monastery of Horomair was built later in the upper parts of the
ravine.
`They were built in places difficult of access, even when you look at
them from a distance you become terrified. But it was done for a
reason, to characterize the dauntless spirit of our people,’ says
Seyran.
The Chatin Dagh mountain range in front of the monastery where there
is Kuletavank monastery. Seyran says that it is difficult to go up
there, but during the medieval wars they communicated from Kuletavank
with Surb Nshan using colored flags.
Basilica church of 6th century
Besides forests the surroundings here are covered with motley carpets
of flowers. White ox-eye daisies add splashes of white under the sun
and it looks as if snow fell in certain places on the slopes of Lori
mountains.
>From the heights of the holiday hotel, one can watch the sunset
falling on the village, mountains, and forest. The perfect
combination of nature is divine.
Geghetsik says: `Early in the morning and in the evening the air
become twice as clear. The air here is very sharp; we have villagers
who cannot stay at this height.’
White clouds gather on Lalvar. They say here that Stepanavan’s
airport decides on flights according to the weather on the mountain.
It begins to rain, but the sunset proudly continues to preserve its
colors. Silence falls, colors become denser, only the outlines of
mountains and clouds embracing each other are visible. Somewhere in
the distance a cuckoo continues its call unabated.
`Every day here is different. It is a fairytale which ends and begins
anew,’ says Geghetsik.
;ned=ca&q=armenia+OR+armenian+OR+armenians+OR+karabakh+OR+Qarabagh+OR+Garabagh+OR+karabagh&ie=UTF-8&scoring=d&sa=N&start=0
ANONYMOUS PERSON WARNING ABOUT BOMB ALLEGEDLY PLACED UNDER
GOVERNMENTAL BUILDING IN ARMENIA ARRESTED
YEREVAN, JUNE 24. ARMINFO. The author of a false call warning about a
bomb allegedly placed under the Armenian Government building yesterday
proved to be an “unbalanced female” having two previous convictions.
The press-service of the Aremnian National Security Service informs
ARMINFO that due to joint operative measures of the NSS and Police,
the anonymous person was detained. A criminal case has been initiated
on he case, with investigations being underway. The source reports.
To note, June 23 approximately at 14:00 the prime minister’s reception
hall received the aforementioned call, which proved to be false.