Author: Zakarian Garnik

NKR PRESIDENT MEETING

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
22 Oct 04

On October 20 NKR president Arkady Ghukassian met with the members of
the British Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union headed by the
British MP of the House of Commons Gordon Marsden. During the meeting
Arkady Ghukassian emphasized that the visit of the British members of
parliament is a good opportunity for the government and the people of
Nagorni Karabakh to convey to the international community their
position and true information on the developments taking place in the
republic. The president presented the British parliamentarians with
the achievements of NKR in the sphere of protection of human rights
and in building democratic state based on the rule of law. At the same
time Arkady Ghukassian emphasized the importance of providing
necessary conditions for the activity of the non-governmental sector
of the republic as one of the important links in a civil
society. Speaking about the standpoint of official Stepanakert on the
main principles of the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, Arkady
Ghukassian said the NKR government is for inadmissibility of
resumption of military actions and security of the population. At the
same time the president confirmed the commitment of the authorities to
further economic developmentof the republic and achievement of a
decent life for the people of Nagorni Karabakh. According to him, this
will by all means have a positive effect on the promotion of
democratic processes in the republic. Gordon Marsden said the visit of
the British group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union to Nagorni Karabakh
allowed getting more precise information on the life in the
republic. At the same time, according to Mr. Marsden, the aim of the
visit was to determine the possibilities of the international
organizations’ aid for settlement of humanitarian problems and
development of democracy and civil society in Nagorni Karabakh.

AA.
22-10-2004

Armenian president arrives in Georgia for three-day visit

Rustavi-2 TV, Tbilisi
22 Oct 04

Tengiz [correspondent], thank you very much. I am being told that
another honorary guest of Tbilisoba [annual Tbilisi festival], Robert
Kocharyan, the president of Armenia, has already arrived at Sadakhlo
[border checkpoint] and is about to meet [Georgian President] Mikheil
Saakashvili. We are going live to Sadakhlo. [Over video]

The presidents are standing on the red carpet. Anthems are being
played.

Robert Kocharyan is already in Georgia. The anthems of the two
countries have been played and the presidents are leaving Sadakhlo.

The president is introducing Georgian ministers to Robert
Kocharyan. As I have already told you, this is a three-day visit [as
heard]. After the meeting with Mikheil Saakashvili, Robert Kocharyan
plans to meet the country’s Number 2 and Number 3. He will also take
part in Tbilisoba and tomorrow will travel to Likani. Robert Kocharyan
will leave Georgia on Sunday [24 October] at noon.

Robert Kocharyan and Mikheil Saakashvili will hold a meeting at the
State Chancellery at three o’clock [1100 gmt], after which a briefing
for the media will be held on the 11th floor.

This is a live link-up with Sadakhlo where President of Armenia Robert
Kocharyan arrived a few minutes ago.

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Dania Ohanian
Armenian Prelacy of Canada
3401 Olivar Asselin
Montreal, QC, H4J 1L5
Tel: (514) 856-1200
Fax: (514) 856-1805
Email: [email protected]

Successful Spiritual Art Exhibit Organized by Armenian Prelacy of Canada

The spiritual art exhibit presenting the works of Vatche Arakelian and
Vartan Jiftjian was a complete success. It brought forth a new and unique
type of medium within Armenian art, as well as a more traditional kind of
time-honored Armenian workmanship.

Organized by the Armenian Prelacy of Canada, under the Auspices of His
Eminence, Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate, the exhibition’s distinct
genre set a new light on a deeply cherished and valued part of Armenian
culture and identity through art.

Arakelian’s medium of choice is a new introduction to Armenian art and
features Armenian religious icons and designs on stained glass, the first of
its kind to be exhibited in Montreal and elsewhere.

Although Arakelian has been using this technique since childhood, he noted
that the paints used for glass staining were not available in Armenia until
1999.

A Montrealer, Arakelian uses religion as his inspiration, expressing that,
“It relaxes me. When I sit down and begin working, I leave this world behind
and become part of that one.”

Jiftjian’s work on the other hand, rekindles a long-lost part of Armenian
heritage through silver work, which entails sculpting and designing historic
religious artifacts out of silver, ornate with precious gems and
occasionally other precious metals.

The event’s success can be tallied not only in terms of sales (more than 75%
of the pieces were sold), but also in terms of attendance. More than 400
people visited the exhibit during its run on the weekend of October 15th
2004.

-30-

A1 Plus | 14:59:05 | 19-10-2004 | Politics |

FISTS INSTEAD OF ARMS

“Saving the Nation” Party members have today announced about readiness
of resorting to abrupt actions. The aim of the struggle of the party
consisting of Artsakh War Veterans exceptionally is restoration of
social welfare of the public.

Last spring the members of the party addressed 2 letters to President
Robert Kocharyan to discuss with him the social and economic situation
and the ways out. Kocharyan hasn’t yet responded the letters of “Saving
the Nation”, so the members are going to appeal the 3rd letter to him.

“We don’t want much. We just want welfare”, Artsakh War fighters say.
One of them, Samvel Klekchyan who used to be a commander of fighters’
detachment is now being evicted because of building in Yerevan.

“Saving the Nation” Party receives many letters from the citizens who
have addressed Authorities to settle some problems but in vain.

“If they don’t solve the issues of the nation, we will settle them
making, obliging and even using brute force”, Party Chair Sargis
Karapetyan says. But he doesn’t mean using arms. “The will of people and
our fists are biggest arms we possess. We won’t resort to punching”, he
says.

To achieve their purposes “Saving the Nation” members are ready to
cooperate with any power, even with the devil if it lightens the
problems of people.

OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUÉ

A SPITTING INCIDENT

Armenian Patriarchate of St. James, Jerusalem
OFFICE OF ECUMENICAL AND FOREIGN RELATIONS
P.O. Box 14235
Jerusalem, Israel 91141
Contact person: Bishop Aris Shirvanian
Tel: 9722-6282331
Fax: 6264861
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website:

Jerusalem 15 October 2004

On Sunday, 10 October 2004, on the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak
(by Julian Calendar), when the St. James Brotherhood led by His
Beatitude Patriarch Torkom Manoogian and escorted by Israeli police was
heading in a solemn procession from St. James Convent to the Church
of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Holy
Tomb of Our Lord Jesus Christ, a 21 year old Jewish seminary student
suddenly spat on the processional Cross and on Archbishop Nourhan
Manougian, the Grand Sacristan, who was walking alongside of the
Patriarch. Archbishop Nourhan couldn’t tolerate this anti-christian
improper and offensive conduct and slapped the discourteous youth
who then broke off the archbishop’s medallion. The police arrested
him and took him to the police station.

This incident that was published in the local and international media
had its positive reaction in the Israeli government and religious
circles. The Minister of Interior Mr. Abraham Poraz expressed his
resentment against such antichristian acts to the Heads of Christian
Churches and advised the Minister of Security Mr. Gideon Ezra to take
the necessary measures to prevent similar occurrences.

Indeed the commander of the police of the Old City organized a meeting
between the representatives of the Armenian Patriarchate and the Jewish
youth, his father and the leaders of his seminary on 14 October. Our
representatives were Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, Grand Sacristan,
Bishop Aris Shirvanian, Director of Ecumenical and Foreign Relations,
Very Reverend Father Goosan Aljanian, Chief Dragoman. The guilty youth
and his companions expressed their regrets and apologies over this
unpleasant incident. Our representatives then accepted their apologies
in a Christian spirit of love and suggested that they educate their
young generation with the obligation of respecting the religious
freedom and human rights of others.

DIVAN OF THE ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATE

HEAD OF ARMENIAN CHURCH CONCERNED OVER REGISTRATION OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

ArmenPress
Oct 15 2004

ETCHMIADZIN, OCTOBER 15, ARMENPRESS: As reported earlier, Karekin II,
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, left today for
Moscow to join the local Armenian community as they celebrate the
75-th anniversary of the birth of His Holiness Alexey II, Patriarch
of Moscow and All Russia. During his two-day visit to Moscow, the
Catholicos of All Armenians will also offer the service of Blessing
the Foundation of the new Holy Cross Armenian Cathedral and Diocesan
Headquarters for the Armenian Diocese of New Nakhijevan and Russia.

The Church headquarters said that before departing His Holiness
reflected on the recent news that the “Jehovah’s Witnesses”
religious organization has received official registration by the
state authorities of the Republic of Armenia, expressing his concern
at the registration of yet another totalitarian cult.

His Holiness stated that attempts to justify the registration of this
destructive group are unacceptable, and regards as disingenuous and
unfair the accusations that the Armenian Church and her clergy are
weak and incomplete in their pastoral ministry.

“The Holy Armenian Apostolic Church has a mission to serve, and
notwithstanding all difficulties and challenges, will bring all of
her efforts to realizing that sacred mission in the lives of our
people”, stated His Holiness. The Pontiff of All Armenians expressed
his appreciation to all faithful sons and daughters of the Armenian
Church who have displayed concern and devotion regarding this issue.

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, US OFFICIAL DISCUSS TIES, REGIONAL AFFAIRS

Mediamax news agency
14 Oct 04

Yerevan, 14 October: Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan met
US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Laura Kennedy in
Yerevan today.

At the meeting, Oskanyan and Kennedy exchanged opinions on the pressing
issues of mutual and international relations, the Armenian Foreign
Ministry press service told Mediamax news agency today. The sides
noted with satisfaction that Armenian-US relations are distinguished
by dynamic development and high level of predictability. They also
discussed the postwar reconstruction of Iraq and Armenia’s possible
participation in the process.

Oskanyan and Kennedy discussed the possibility of normalizing
Armenian-Turkish relations. Oskanyan expressed his concern about
Turkey’s blockade of Armenia and said that such an approach hampered
regional development.

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Oct 14 2004

Romania – key partner in Eastern Europe

President Ilham Aliyev’s two-day official visit to Romania completed
on Tuesday.

The two countries signed 11 documents covering political, economic,
education and other fields upon conclusion of the talks. Romania
represents a priority in Azerbaijan’s foreign policy among the Eastern
European countries. After Azerbaijan gained independence, Romania
was one of the first countries, along with Turkey and Pakistan,
to recognize its sovereignty.

Since Azerbaijan and Romania established diplomatic relations in
1992, the two countries have successfully developed cooperation,
in particular, political ties.

During President Aliyev’s meeting with his Romanian counterpart
Ion Iliyesku, bilateral relations, economic projects implemented in
Azerbaijan, combat against terrorism and cooperation between the two
countries were discussed.

Romanian President Iliyesku said that the two countries are closely
cooperating within TRACECA transport corridor and that his country has
invested $6 million in the project. He added that European countries
are interested in participating in projects realized in the South
Caucasus region.

After the negotiations, the two countries signed documents in
the area of customs, justice, national security, labor and social
security, education, television and radio, and a joint declaration.
Aliyev was awarded the “Romania’s Star” order. The Azeri President, in
turn, awarded Iliyesku the “Istiglal” (“Independence”) order for his
contribution to political relations between Azerbaijan and Romania,
multi-faceted cooperation and strengthening of friendly ties between
the two peoples.

Aliyev also unveiled a bronze monument to the late Azerbaijani
President Heydar Aliyev in the “8 May” park in Bucharest and
inaugurated a new building of the Azerbaijani embassy.

Azerbaijan established diplomatic relations with Romania in June
1992. Romania recognized Azerbaijan’s independence on December 11,
1991 and opened its embassy in the country in November 1998. The
Azeri embassy opened in Bucharest in May 2000.

The two countries have signed over 30 inter-governmental agreements
in the political, economic, cultural and technical fields so far.
Romania and Azerbaijan are also actively cooperating within
international and regional organizations and programs.

The late Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev paid an official visit
to Romania in June 30, 1995, while Romanian President Iliyeski first
visited Azerbaijan on July 27-28, 1996. The two countries signed a
package of documents in various fields and expressed mutual interest
for collaboration in the oil, trade and other sectors.

In 1997, Chairman of the Romanian Senate Petre Roman paid an official
visit to Baku. He discussed with the Azeri side the issue of using the
Romanian port of Constanza for transportation of goods from Azerbaijan
and Georgia.

In December 1997, the Romanian President’s special envoy Dana Kepetsine
visited Azerbaijan. He presented to the Azeri party a project on
transporting Caspian oil to Europe through Romania. Under the project,
oil is delivered from the port of Supsa to the Constanta port by
tankers, and then to Western Europe through the existing pipeline.

In June 1998 Romanian President Emil Constantinescu paid a three-day
official visit to Azerbaijan. A declaration on cooperation, an
inter-governmental agreement on cargo transportation, and one on
collaboration between state news agencies were signed. During the
talks the parties focused on the oil transportation issue.

President Aliyev voiced his support for the project on transporting
oil through the Baku-Constanta route. A few months later, President
Constantinescu visited Baku again and participated in the “Restoration
of the Great Silk Road” conference. The Romanian party expressed
interest in its active involvement in the TRACECA project and the
GUUAM bloc.

In October 2002, Iliyesku paid his second visit to Azerbaijan. The
parties once again focused on transportation of Caspian oil through
Romania and its refining at the Constanta port. The two countries
signed an agreement on promotion and mutual protection of investments,
a convention on eliminating double taxation, a declaration on
partnership and a memorandum of understanding between air space
agencies.

President Iliyesku stated that considering the two countries’
advantageous geographic location, Azerbaijan and Romania can become
important elements of the “great oil route”.

However, the trade and economic relations between the two countries
leave a lot to be desired. In 2000, Romanian state oil company
Petrom left Azerbaijan to move to Kazakhstan, where it successfully
participates in two projects.

The Azeri side has not been active on the proposals of Bucharest on
economic cooperation. According to the State Statistics Committee,
in 2003 the turnover of goods between Azerbaijan and Romania
constituted $7.8 million, of which $6.2 million was made up by
import from Romania and the rest by export from Azerbaijan. In the
first half of 2004, the turnover of goods between the two countries
increased dramatically to make up $19.9 million on account of crude
oil exports to Romania. In this period, Azerbaijan’s crude exports to
this country made up $16.3 million out of a total of $16.6 million.
Besides oil and oil products, Azerbaijan exported chemical products
and cotton to Romania. Azerbaijan imports furniture and drilling
pipes for the oil and gas sector from Romania.

Romania unequivocally supports the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan. In August 2002, Bucharest firmly condemned the illegal
‘presidential election’ in Upper Garabagh and separatism.

The two countries closely collaborate in the military field, both
on a bilateral level and within NATO programs. In July 1999, Defense
Minister Safar Abiyev paid a two-day official visit to Bucharest. The
parties signed a protocol on military cooperation.

In February 2000, Romanian Defense Minister Victor Babiuc paid a
reciprocal visit to Baku. During the visit the two countries signed
another military collaboration document.

In April 2003, Abiyev visited this country again on the invitation
of his Romanian counterpart Ioan Mircea Pascu.

ENLARGED MEETING OF PRESIDENTS OF AZERBAIJAN AND ROMANIA
[October 11, 2004, 19:01:00]

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State info agency
Oct 12 2004

The private meeting between Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan
and Ion Iliescu of Romania was continued later in an enlarged format.

Greeting the distinguished guest and accompanied delegation, the
Romanian President noted that Azerbaijan and Romania are successfully
cooperating in the framework of a number of regional projects. Our
cooperation under the TRACECA project is rapidly developing, and the
efforts to further expand that should be continued, he said.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked the Romanian leader for the invitation
and hospitality, and pointed out the great contribution made by
national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev and President
of Romania Ion Iliescu to establishment and strengthening of the
relations between Azerbaijan and Romania. Signing of 11 documents
expected in the course of this visit will launch a new stage in
development of bilateral relations in economic and humanitarian
spheres, he said.

Widely discussing the two countries integration the into the European
and Euroatlantic structures, the Heads of State stressed the need to
intensify the activity of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic
Cooperation for further strengthening of the regional cooperation.
The sides expressed their support of the EU’s New Neighboring Policy,
and described the fact of Caucasian countries’, in particular,
Azerbaijan’s joining this policy as very remarkable.

They also touched upon the issue of transportation of Azerbaijan’s
natural gas through Romania to Europe, and noted, in this connection
the necessity to intensify efforts for resolution of the conflicts
in the Caucasus. President Ilham Aliyev recalled in particular
that 20% of the Azerbaijan’s territories were occupied and over one
million people became refugees and IDPs as a result of the Armenian
aggression. Azerbaijan stands for resolution of this conflict on the
base of the international legal norms, and demands restoration of
its territorial integrity, he said.

Boston Globe, MA
Oct 7 2004

Introducing Armenia’s ready-to-wear
October 7, 2004

Contemporary Fashions from Armenia

National Heritage Museum,33 Marrett Road, LexingtonSunday, 5 to 10
p.m.Donation: $50, includes buffet of Armenian foodTel.: 781-862-0738

Yerevan is rarely included on the list of fashion capitals. In fact,
many Americans don’t even know that Yerevan is the capital of
Armenia. But that hasn’t fazed Eva Medzorian, who has made it her
goal to bring the fashion of Armenia to the United States, beginning
this Sunday at the National Heritage Museum in Lexington.

“This is the first [Armenian fashion show] that has been in the
United States,” said Medzorian, president of the Armenian
International Women’s Association, New England Affiliate.

The show was conceived during one of her 40 visits to Armenia, when
Medzorian stopped in the center of Yerevan to watch a student-run
fashion show.

“The clothing was so Western,” she said. “It was up to par with some
of the best things that we have here in America.”

Medzorian was even more impressed to learn that the school, the
Yerevan State Academy of Fine Arts, did not even have access to
sewing machines. In hopes of raising money for the academy as well as
introducing the designs of Armenia to America, Medzorian organized
the fashion show.

The show will feature the designs of students, graduates, and faculty
members of the academy, along with a collection from ATEX, an
Armenian-based fashion house. The runway designs will feature a
variety of handcraft techniques, including beadwork, painting on
silk, and embroidering. All items on the runway will be available for
purchase, with prices from $60 to $350.

“There are no copycat designs,” said Medzorian. “The quality and the
styles are modern and yet so original.”

Three of the designers will attend the show. Nune Aghbalian, an
instructor in the design department of the Yerevan academy, is known
for her paintings on silk. She will also be displaying some of her
work at the Armenian Library Museum of America in Watertown.

Kevork Shadoyan, a recent graduate of the academy, will present a
20-minute segment on Armenian wedding fashions. The segment will
include bridesmaid dresses, men’s attire, as well as a wedding gown
customized with ancient Armenian motifs.

Another academy graduate, Anna Panosyan, will debut her line of
fashions featuring fabrics such as silks, chiffons, and sheers.

The program will begin at 5:30 p.m., when guests can view and
purchase items including hats, jewelry, scarves, and collectibles. At
6 p.m., there will be a buffet. The fashion show, beginning at 7
p.m., will be accompanied by Armenian music.

Medzorian found local residents who volunteered to help with the
fashion show, including serving as the models. It is with the help of
this community that Medzorian hopes to nurture these untapped
talents.

“Armenia is one of those endangered countries that seems to be on the
verge of extinction,” said Medzorian. “Through this fashion show,
people can become more aware of Armenian tradition and culture.

“People will want to help an academy like this that is producing such
talent and beautiful things to the world.”

CHRISTINA PEASLEE