Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

RUSSIA WILL NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR FULL RESOLUTION OF CONFLICTS IN
POST-SOVIET AREA, BUT IT IS READY TO MEDIATE, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7. ARMINFO. Russia will not assume responsibility
for full resolution of the conflicts in the post-Soviet area, but
it is ready to mediate, Russian President Vladimir Putin says in
response to the questions of Russian journalists after Russian-Turkish
negotiations in Ankara, Monday.

President Putin says that Russia is really interested in resolution of
these conflicts as it wants the region to become stable. When solving
any complicated issues, including the political confrontation in the
Ukraine and Abkhazia, Russia is ready to further play a mediatory
role as it understands the difficulty of such problems best of all,
Putin says. Commenting on the situation in the Ukraine, the president
pointed out inadmissibility of any threats to the candidates running
for presidency as well as arbitrary interpretation and changes in the
legislation in favor of one of the parties. In his words, Russia cannot
support such developments even if one calls it democracy. Performing
its mediatory role, the Russian leadership continues closely cooperate
with the current authorities, acting absolutely correct and not
behind-the-scene. Russia is ready to deal with any president who the
Ukrainian people will elected, Vladimir Putin says.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer

Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

ENGAGES IN DIALOGUE WITH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

ANTELIAS, LEBANON – From the very outset of his pontificate His Holiness
Aram I has given a priority attention to the youth in general and to the
college and university students in particular, considering them a vital
dimension of the life of the Armenian Church and Nation. Through his
lectures and messages His Holiness has always advocated the importance of
engaging in dialogue with the Youth and students. In fact, the annual
meetings, organized by Armenian Church University Student Association, gives
His Holiness an opportunity to share with the young people his concerns,
perspectives and expectations. He also carefully listens to them.

“Dialogue is talking and listening, giving and taking. It is mutually
enriching and challenging process. A life of monologue is a source of
stagnation. A life of dialogue is a source of creativity and progress”. With
this pertinent remark His Holiness started his talk with the university
students in his residence at the Catholicosate in Antelias. The main topic
of the reflection of His Holiness was the correct perception of “value”. He
said: “what we mean by value? How should we define it? What should be the
role of value in the life of a person or a religion or a community? What is
the connection between value and criterion? What kind of value system should
we have in our society?”

In answering to these questions, His Holiness provided a broader definition
of value; he identified different categories of values then he focused his
reflection on moral values, regarding them the basis of all kinds of values,
including religious. Catholicos Aram paid a special attention to the way the
moral values are perceived and implemented in the Armenian life. According
to him, there is a growing decay of moral values in all spheres of Armenian
life, in Armenia and in the worldwide Armenian Diaspora. He said that we
cannot have healthy society without moral values. In this context His
Holiness emphasized the role of the church which must become not only the
preacher and the reminder of the crucial importance of moral values, but it
must live out the imperatives and challenges of moral values in its own life
and witness.

The gathering with youth and students started with the greeting of V.Rev.
Keghart Kusbekian, the Youth director of the Catholicosate. He was followed
by Mr. Alexander Belopopsky the Communication Director of the WCC, who was
attending an ecumenical conference taking place at the Catholicosate.

##

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the youth
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.

PanArmenian News
Dec 4 2004

ISLAMIC PARTY OF AZERBAIJAN FOR MILITARY SOLUTION OF KARABAKH PROBLEM

04.12.2004 16:34

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ There is only one solution to “liberate” “the
territories of Azerbaijan” – the war, stated Chairman of the Islamic
Party of Azerbaijan Hajiagha Nuriyev in a conversation with a
Caucasian Knot correspondent. The leader of the Islamists also
criticized the US policy towards Azerbaijan. In his words, official
Washington pursues a double policy towards Azerbaijan. “The US not
only provides much financial assistance to Armenia, but also supports
the Nagorno Karabakh “separatists.” It is an indicator of official
Washington double policy.” Having touched the issue of peaceful talks
the Party Chairman noted that those talks would not have a notable
effect. It should be reminded that official Azerbaijan is becoming
closer with the Organization of Islamic Conferences of late and an
Islamic youth forum is held in Baku on these days. There are two
groups of Islamists, operating in Azerbaijan. The first, represented
by the Islamic Party, adheres the Shiite direction of Islam,
traditional for Azerbaijan. However, Islamism in its Wahhabism
version, with a center in Abu Bakr mosque in Baku, is much more
spread among the youth. After the defeat of the opposition, tending
towards the West, in the opinion of many political scientists,
Islamists can become an actual political force in Azerbaijan in a few
years.

Indonesia, Australia to co-host interfaith conference 6-7 December

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade web site, Canberra
2 Dec 04

Text of media release from the office of Foreign Affairs Minister
Alexander Downer, carried by Australian Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade web site on 2 December

I will co-host, together with my Indonesian counterpart Dr Hasan
Wirayudha, an “International Dialogue on Interfaith Cooperation” in
Yogyakarta on 6-7 December 2004.

Australia and Indonesia are determined to foster greater understanding
and build harmonious relationships between faith communities in our
region. Neither country wants to let extremists set the agenda with
their deliberate attempts to create discord and incite violence. We
want to do more to empower the moderate majorities who seek peace,
harmony and tolerance in all our communities.

The dialogue will involve 10 faith and community leaders and
interfaith experts from each ASEAN country, Australia, New Zealand,
Papua New Guinea and East Timor.

The Australian participants are: Cardinal George Pell, Catholic
archbishop of Sydney; Rev John Baldock, Anglican Church; Ms Wendie
Wilkie, Uniting Church; Rev John Henderson, general secretary of the
National Council of Churches in Australia; Archbishop Aghan Baliozian,
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand; Dr Ameer
Ali, president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils; The
Most Venerable Phuoc Hue, president, Buddhist Federation of Australia;
Sister Patricia Madigan OP, Catholic Church, Bishop’s Advisory
Committee (Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations); Ms Peta Jones
Pellach, Executive Council of Australian Jewry; and Dr Appupillay
Balasubramaniam, chairman of the board of directors, Hindu Council of
Australia.

Bringing together faith and community leaders from around the region
will promote mutual understanding. The dialogue will explore regional
case studies where communities have developed harmonious relations. By
promoting understanding and learning from each other’s experiences,
the dialogue will foster a common regional resolve to meet challenges
such as extremism.

This is the first joint Australia-Indonesian government organized
event of this type and will build on our strong record of cooperation
in organizing major regional meetings to facilitate cooperation on
counter-terrorism and people-smuggling.

ArmenPress
Dec 1 2004

ARMENIAN DIPLOMATS WORK TO SECURE THE RELEASE OF SIX PILOTS FROM
EQUATORIAL GUINEA’S PRISON

MALABO, DECEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS: Armenian foreign ministry said two
government officials who flew to Malabo, the capital of Equatorial
Guinea, to monitor the trial of a group of alleged mercenaries,
including six Armenian pilots, accused of being involved in a plot to
overthrow that country’s president are still in that West-African
state discussing with its authorities the possible ways to secure the
release of their country fellows, sentenced to lengthy prison terms.
In a statement after the verdict was announced the Armenian
ministry had said it will continue to make “every effort” to secure
the release of its citizens. The Guinean defense lawyer of the pilots
also said he would lodge an appeal against “the unfair verdict” with
the Supreme Court.
Captain Ashot Karapetian and five members of his aircrew were
sentenced to 24 and 14 years respectively. All of them pleaded not
guilty to the accusations.
“We are absolutely convinced that the Armenian pilots had nothing
to do with any action directed against Equatorial Guinea and its
government, and the court has not brought any compelling evidence
against them,” the Armenian foreign ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said the two Armenian diplomats, a former Armenian
ambassador to Egypt Sergey Manaserian and head of a government
division Gevork Petrosian were allowed to visit the jailed pilots.
The diplomats had already a meeting with Filiberto Entutumo, the
leader of the ruling party and will meet also with top officials of
that country’s foreign ministry to present the Armenian government’s
request to review the case of the pilots.
The diplomats are also maintaining everyday contacts with the
pilots’ lawyer, who has not yet been given the written decision of
the court in order to take the case to the Supreme Court.
Lawyers for South-African nationals as well as representatives of
the Amnesty International have not been either given the written
verdict.

Le Monde
29 novembre 2004

Les « mercenaires » de Malabo échappent à la peine de mort

Jean-Philippe Rémy

AVEC les verdicts prononcés, vendredi 26 novembre, à Malabo, en
Guinée-Equatoriale, s’est clos le deuxième volet du procès des «
mercenaires » accusés d’avoir tenté, en mars, de renverser le
président Theodoro Obiang Nguema, pour installer au pouvoir, dans le
nouvel eldorado pétrolier du golfe de Guinée, un opposant exilé en
Espagne, Severo Moto.

La première partie du groupe des « mercenaires » avait été
interceptée à Harare, au Zimbabwe. Ses membres ont été jugés dans ce
pays : ils étaient, selon l’accusation, supposés avoir fait halte à
Harare pour s’équiper en armes et en munitions sur la route de la
Guinée-Equatoriale. Vendredi, leurs supposés « complices », contre
lesquels de lourdes peines, incluant la mort, avaient été requises,
ont pris connaissance de leur jugement à Malabo. Nick Du Toit, le
chef sud-africain du groupe accusé par les autorités
équato-guinéennes de s’être préparé à prendre le contrôle de points
stratégiques de la capitale, sur l’île de Bioko, a été condamné à 34
ans de prison, échappant ainsi à la peine de mort qui avait été
requise contre lui.

Parmi les hommes de son équipe, quatre Sud-Africains ont été
condamnés à 17 ans de réclusion. Trois autres, dont le cuisinier du
groupe, ont été acquittés. Les membres de l’équipage arménien de
l’avion affrété par Nick Du Toit pour établir des liaisons aériennes
entre Malabo et le continent ont été condamnés à des peines de prison
s’échelonnant entre 14 et 24 ans. Le ministère des affaires
étrangères arménien a accusé, vendredi, la justice équato-guinéenne
de n’avoir fourni « aucune preuve fondée » de la culpabilité de ses
ressortissants.

Enfin, l’opposant en exil Severo Moto, sur lequel pesaient, selon une
source proche du pouvoir, des charges de « trahison à sa patrie,
d’attentat contre le chef de l’Etat et de tentative de changer la
forme de gouvernement », a été condamné à 63 ans de réclusion par
contumace et à une forte amende de 2 milliards de francs CFA (3
millions d’euros). Depuis l’Espagne, il a déclaré, « de près ou de
loin », n’avoir aucun lien avec une tentative de putsch, et affirmé :
« J’ai déjà été condamné à plus de cent ans de prison dans mon pays.
C’est le problème d’Obiang. Cela ne me fait ni chaud ni froid. »

MAUVAIS TRAITEMENTS

Le procès, étalé sur plusieurs mois, a été marqué par la confusion.
Nick Du Toit, qui avait d’abord reconnu l’existence de la tentative
de coup d’Etat, s’est ensuite rétracté, affirmant que ses aveux lui
avaient été extorqués sous la torture. Selon plusieurs organisations
de défense des droits de l’homme, les « mercenaires » du groupe de
Malabo ont subi de mauvais traitements, incluant la torture, au cours
de leur détention.

Avec les condamnations prononcées par la justice de Malabo, et dans
l’attente d’éventuels appels, ce n’est que le procès des « exécutants
» qui s’achève, affirme Me Lucie Bourthoumieux, avocat conseil du
gouvernement équato-guinéen, en attendant les développements des
instructions en cours contre les « commanditaires. » Selon la version
développée par l’accusation, ces derniers compteraient parmi eux Mark
Thatcher, fils de l’ex-« Dame de fer » britannique, assigné à
résidence en Afrique du Sud où il devrait être contraint de répondre
à des enquêteurs équato-guinéens en février, mais aussi, au total, 17
personnes parmi lesquelles d’anciens responsables du Parti
conservateur britannique et le fils d’un ancien président libanais.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Nov 29 2004

Azerbaijan may negotiate with Upper Garabagh Armenians

Azerbaijan may negotiate with Armenians living in Upper Garabagh,
Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov told journalists.
`If the occupation of Upper Garabagh ends and Armenians living here
admit their affiliation to Azerbaijan, Baku may negotiate with them
as Azerbaijani citizens.’
Such discussions may take place within the OSCE Minsk Group and
involve both interested parties – Azerbaijan and the Armenian
community.*

GORAN LENNMARKER MET AZERBAIJAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION AT OSCE PA
[November 27, 2004, 19:51:46]

AzerTag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Nov 27 2004

On 25 November, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly special envoy on
the Nagorny Karabakh conflict Goran Lennmarker has met delegation of
Azerbaijani MPs at this Organization.

The delegation comprised of Sattar Safarov, Eldar Ibrahimov, Fattah
Heydarov, Rabiyyet Aslanova, who expressed concern with delay of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, on the unsuccessful
activities of OSCE. They protested to the expression “disputable
territory” in the report of special envoy and explained on the
map that the region belongs to Azerbaijan. Noting inadmissibility
of equalization of the aggressor and victim, the MPs have stressed
that the people of Azerbaijan is peaceful, and that the leadership
of country makes every effort for peaceful resolution to the problem.
But destructive position of the Armenians impedes it. Tens of nations
live in Azerbaijan in peaceful coexistence, because the Azerbaijanis
are tolerant towards all the ethnics and religions. The OSCE should
demonstrate fair position and the problem be settled in the frame of
international law and within the principle of territorial integrity
and inviolability of borders.

Mr. Goran Lennmarker said that he was aware of the sequences of the
conflict and that the refugees and IDPs want quick solution of the
problem. He also agreed with the remarks of the Azerbaijani MPs related
to the “double standards” approach of the international community
and Western delegations, and added that there should not be “double
standards” in such questions. The conflict should be settled in peace
way. Mr. Lennmarker made suggestions on close interference of Europe
into the problem. “I consider necessary the inter-parliamentary links
and discussion between the parliamentarians, which would be useful”,
he emphasized. “I have told the same in meeting with esteemed your
President”, he added.

Mr. Goran Lennmarker assured that he understands well the importance
of his mission.

President to Attend ICO Summit

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Nov 24 2004

President Ilham Aliyev is scheduled to attend a summit of heads of
the Islamic Conference Organization (ICO) member states in Doha,
Qatar on November 29-30.

In his speech, Aliyev will brief the event participants on the grave
consequences of the Upper Garabagh conflict.

He is also expected to touch upon issues related to fighting
international terrorism and problems faced by Muslim countries.

Titillating Turkey Trivia

Brox International Press – Features & Discoveries of the World
11-24-2004

The American turkey was accidentally named after the country. After
the Spanish first found the bird in America more than 400 years ago
and brought it back to Europe, the English mistakenly thought it was
an African bird they had named for the country it was shipped through;
Turkey. The name stuck even after they realized the birds weren’t
the same.

The highest point in Turkey is Mount Ararat which is 5,166 meters
tall. The remains of Noah’s Ark are thought to be buried on this
mountain.

Turkey produces 65% of the world’s hazelnuts.

The national drink of Turkey is called ‘çay’ and is a type of tea
drunk black without milk.

Popular sports in Turkey include oil wrestling and camel
wrestling. Camel wrestling consists of two camels pushing against
each other until one is knocked over or runs away. Weightlifting and
wrestling are the sports that Turkey usually wins at the Olympics.

Turkish Bath Houses have operated for hundreds of years. They are a
cross between swimming pools, health clubs and communal baths, and
often have very plain exteriors with beautiful, ornately designed
interiors.

Nearly 99% of people are Muslims, and any Turkish city skyline will
include the many brightly colored domes of many mosques, which can
have diameters up to 30 m.

Turkey still has many unresolved issue with neighboring Christian
Armenia, including well-documented massacres and deportations that
Armenians refer to as the First Genocide of the 20th century.

Ingenious population of Kurdish minority is not recognize by Turkey
as a distinct nation group, even though they comprise about 30 percent
of the south-eastern provincial population.

The ancient city of Troy was made famous in Homer’s The Odyssey
and The Iliad, written between 1500 and 1200 B.C. Though initially
believed to be mere legend, a German explorer discovered what some
think to be the ruins of Troy on the west coast of Turkey in 1871.

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