Author: Zaminian Bedik

Sacred stories
by Michael Binyon

The Times (London)
August 31, 2004, Tuesday

RELISHES THE CHANCE TO SEE ARMENIAN ART IN LONDON

RARE and little-known examples of Armenian sacred art are to be
displayed in London next month in one of the biggest and most varied
exhibitions of the genre seen in Europe for years.

Situated at the crossroads between Asian, European and Byzantine
traditions, Armenian art has often been overlooked by collectors. But
Sam Fogg, a dealer in Asian manuscripts and medieval art, has been
collecting Armenian artefacts for 15 years, including manuscripts,
gospel books, icons and a rare carved wooden panel.

The display at his London gallery, running from September 23 until
October 15, will, he hopes, both rehabilitate a tradition largely
overlooked and undervalued and focus new attention on this unusual
synthesis from the best elements of Persian, Turkish, Greek and West
European art.

One of the world’s oldest Christian countries, Armenia has an Apostolic
Church that claims its foundation by the apostles Bartholomew and
Thaddeus. Christianity became the state religion in 300 AD, when St
Gregory the Illuminator converted the Arsacid King Tiridates III,
and Armenians have clung to their beliefs throughout a history of
oppression, dispersal and incorporation into the empires of their
neighbours.

Yet throughout the centuries of isolation among Muslim cultures, they
have produced distinctive works of art that celebrate the medieval
periods in Greater Armenia and the Kingdom of Cilicia -in modern Turkey
-while preserving their identity in subsequent times of hardship.

Nowadays, for the first time in centuries, Armenia is an independent
state, with the ancient spiritual centre of Etchmiadzin once again
flourishing as a cultural hub.

The exhibition, which begins, appropriately, on Armenian independence
day, September 23, is admittedly small in range and scale. There are
22 pieces, with no sculpture, no secular painting and only one rare
and beautiful 17th-century icon from the treasury of Etchmiadzin.
Armenian genius is shown mostly in the illustration of sacred books.

The most exquisite are the gospel illuminations. Unlike the work
of medieval European monks, the Armenians who painted the biblical
scenes and elaborate title-page decorations were celebrated in their
day and much in demand.

One of the finest is a gospel book by the artist Ghazar. Written in the
15th century, it includes four cut-down decorated pages on parchment
from two separate Cicilian Gospel books of the 12th century. Both are
of luxurious quality; the first (Matthew and Mark) is almost identical
to a gospel dated 1181 in the British Library, and the second (Luke
and John) has inscriptions on the reverse which record that the
book was commissioned by “the Crown Prince Kostandin, the King’s
Chamberlain”. According to Fogg’s scholarly and well-illustrated
catalogue, this must refer to the Cicilian Lord of Kopitar who was
present at the coronation of King Leo the Magnificent in 1198 at the
birth of the Kingdom of Cicilia.

Armenian art falls between several stools; being neither wholly Asian
nor European nor Byzantine, it is ignored by specialists in these
fields. Sadly, it has been largely ignored by Armenians themselves,
who have paid little attention to their heritage. There was a flurry
of interest in the 1920s, but that has subsided and, as a result,
what little comes on the market does not command vast prices.

Only three centres outside Armenia have good collections: the libraries
in Venice and Vienna and the monastery of St James in Jerusalem. Sam
Fogg hopes, however, that his careful assembly over the years of a
collection ranging from the 10th to 18th centuries, which shows how the
art evolved and adapted in such places as Constantinople or elsewhere
in the diaspora, will prompt interest by a museum in acquiring the
whole collection, more valuable as a whole than as separate pieces.

For the next month, however, it is free for anyone to admire.

Art of the Armenians, Sam Fogg gallery, W1, 020-7534 2122, Sept 23
to Oct 15

Pavel Lisitsian

The Times (London)
August 31, 2004, Tuesday

Pavel Lisitsian, operatic baritone, was born on November 6, 1911. He
died on July 6, 2004, aged 92. Russian singer regarded as one of
the best Verdi baritones of the postwar years but whose career was
limited by the Cold War

The Russian baritone Pavel Lisitsian convinced all those fortunate
enough to have heard him that, in the words of one admirer of his
recorded Amonasro in Aida, “he may well have been the best Verdi
baritone of the postwar years”. His mastery extended far beyond
Verdi, both in the theatre and on the concert platform, but since his
appearances abroad were sorely restricted by the Second World War and
then by the Cold War and by the suspicion of foreign contacts that it
engendered in the Soviet authorities, his admirers outside the Soviet
Union had to content themselves, for the most part, with his records.

Of Armenian descent, Lisitsian was born Pogos Karapetovich Liseetsian
in Vladikavkas (Ordzhonikidze), near Grozny, the son of a mineworker.
Thinking to follow in his father’s footsteps, he was apprenticed as a
welder. As a child he sang in church choirs, and after his voice broke
his singing as an amateur in workers’ concerts soon brought his gifts
to wider attention. At length, backed by a local workers’ co-operative,
in 1932 he entered the Leningrad Conservatory where he studied for
three years, during which he continued to work in a factory and also
took cello lessons. In Leningrad at that time memories were still fresh
of the methods of the pre-1914 Italian school exemplified by singers
such as De Luca and Stracciari, and later Lisitsian would always
describe himself to acquaintances as essentially an Italian singer;
certainly his command of legato and the beauty of his voice were among
the qualities that would have appealed to his Italian predecessors.

His first professional engagement as a soloist was at the Maly Theatre
in Leningrad in 1935, and in 1937 he was contracted as a principal
baritone by the theatre at Yerevan in Armenia. In 1940 he joined
the company of the Bolshoi in Moscow and remained there as a leading
member of the company until

he retired from the stage in 1966.

His success there was immediate, consistent and prolonged. In 1959
he sang Napoleon in the first complete performance of Prokofiev’s War
and Peace to be staged in Moscow. It was conducted by Melik-Pashayev
with whom Lisitsian became particularly associated and who, according
to Galina Vishnevskaya, formed a core of favourite singers

who also included Andzhaparidze, Arkhipova, Petrov and Vishnevskaya
herself. Their performances of the great Verdi operas became legendary
in the postwar decade.

At the same time Lisitsian continued to appear frequently outside
Moscow, especially in Armenia, and he reckoned that during the war
he gave 500 or more concerts to serving Soviet troops.

The restrictions placed on his travels outside the USSR by a regime
always worried that their best people might defect have already
been mentioned. However, in the years of the post-Stalinist “thaw”
Lisitsian did make a tour of the USA when, in 1960, he appeared at
the Metropolitan Opera as Amonasro. But the Met at that time still
retained the services of, among others, Merrill, Warren, MacNeil,
Zanasi, Sereni and Bastianini, and Lisitsian’s debut excited little
comment, favourable or unfavourable. Elsewhere he won good opinions,
especially in San Francisco, as much for his recitals of Russian and
Armenian songs as for his stage appearances. In 1963 he was heard
also in Western Europe, and was a member of the Bolshoi company which
visited La Scala, Milan, in 1964, where he sang Eletsky in The Queen
of Spades and Napoleon.

After retiring from the Bolshoi in 1966, he travelled widely and
successfully as a recitalist and was particularly pleased by the
popularity of the vocal quartet that he formed in 1970 with three
of his children. From 1967 to 1973 he also taught regularly at the
Yerevan Conservatory.

Lisitsian was a handsome presence on stage and an excellent actor.
His voice was a splendid, high lyric baritone, beautifully trained
and evenly produced throughout a range of two octaves which extended
easily to the high A, and without hint of fuzz or wobble.

His declamation was exemplary, being both clear and vivid, and was
allied to sure taste and musicality. If his voice was thought a little
small for Amonasro in so large a theatre as the Met, his powers of
projection were ample compensation.

Despite the relatively primitive technology of the Soviet recordings,
all these qualities can be admired on his records, sung invariably
in Russian. His Valentin in Faust, recorded in 1947, was described
by one critic as “simply a great piece of singing under impeccable
artistic guidance”. Another wrote that Lisitsian’s Valentin, “in
glorious voice, is the standard by which to judge the others”.

Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia
The Mercury, Australia
Sunday Times, Australia
Advertiser, Australia
Aug 29 2004

1990 – Armenia’s parliament declares emergency rule, bans nationalist
paramilitary group and blocks roads around republic’s capital.

1533 – Spanish conquistadors give Atahuallpa, last emperor of the
Incas, the choice of being burned at the stake or converting to
Christianity. He converts and is garrotted the same day.
1756 – Frederick II of Prussia invades Saxony, marking start of Seven
Years’ War.
1792 – At least 900 die when the British warship Royal George sinks
at Spithead while repairs are being carried out just below the
waterline.
1793 – The French commissioner Leger-Felicite Sonthonax, facing a
slave army and a British invasion, declares all slaves free in Haiti.

1842 – Anglo-Chinese war ends with Treaty of Nanking, confirming the
ceding of Hong Kong to Britain.
1874 – French performer Blondin walks tightrope across Sydney
Harbour.
1882 – English cricketers lose to Australia on English soil for the
first time – a mock obituary in the Sporting Times then declares the
death of English cricket, saying its ashes will be taken to
Australia, the origin of the “Ashes” trophy.
1885 – First motorcycle, built by Gottlied Daimler in Germany, is
patented.
1935 – Queen Astrid of Belgium is killed in car accident in
Switzerland.
1943 – Danish warships are scuttled at Copenhagen in World War II
uprising against Nazis.
1944 – 15,000 American troops march down the Champs Elysees in Paris
as the French capital continues to celebrate its liberation from the
Nazis.
1960 – Jordanian prime minister Hazza El-Majali and 10 others are
assassinated by a time-bomb.
1964 – Roy Orbison releases the song Pretty Woman.
1965 – US astronauts Gordon Cooper and Charles Conrad make safe
landing in Atlantic after a record eight days of orbiting around
Earth.
1966 – Beatles play their last live concert to a crowd of 25,000 at
Candlestick Park, San Francisco.
1972 – North and South Korean Red Cross officials meet in North Korea
openly for first time to discuss reuniting divided families.
1975 – Death of Eamon de Valera, three times Ireland’s prime minister
and president from 1959-1973.
1987 – Death of Academy Award-winning US actor Lee Marvin, aged 63.
1990 – Armenia’s parliament declares emergency rule, bans nationalist
paramilitary group and blocks roads around republic’s capital.
1991 – Soviet lawmakers suspend Communist Party activities nationwide
and freeze its bank accounts because of party’s role in failed coup
attempt.
1992 – The last Russian diplomats pull out of Kabul, ending a decade
of involvement in Afghanistan.
1995 – Georgian leader Eduard Shevardnadze survives an assassination
attempt when a car explodes near his motorcade.
1996 – A Russian plane carrying coal miners to work at a remote
arctic island smashes into a mountain top, killing all 41 people
aboard in the worst air disaster on Norwegian soil.
1997 – The Japanese Supreme Court rules the government acted
illegally when it deleted from a history textbook references to
Japan’s deadly experiments on Chinese during World War II.
1998 – A Cuban airplane bursts into flames and crashes during takeoff
from Quito, Ecuador, killing 79 people.
1999 – East Timorese overcome fears of violence to vote in a historic
referendum on independence from Indonesia.
2000 – Six former hostages released after months in captivity in the
Philippines arrive in Libya. The Libyan government took the lead in
negotiations to win their freedom from Muslim rebels.
2001 – A US federal grand jury indicts three executives of a Marin
County electronics firm, based in California, accusing them of
illegally selling equipment to India that could be used to make
nuclear weapons.
2002 – Michael Skakel, a member of America’s politically prominent
Kennedy family, is sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for the
1975 murder of neighbour Martha Moxley.
2002 – Marconi finally agrees to hand over the sputtering business to
its creditors, leaving shareholders of the former British industrial
champion with next to nothing.
2003 – A large car bomb explodes outside the Imam Ali Mosque in
Najaf, Iraq. The explosion killed at least 80 people, including
Ayatollah Mohammed Bakir al-Hakim, a top Shiite Muslim cleric.

Azg Armenian Daily, Armenia
Aug 27 2004

AN ISRAELITE JOURNALIST TO REPROACH ISRAEL AND TURKEY

ILHAM ALIYEV’S GERMAN HUMANISM

“THE ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER WILL OPEN IF AZERBAIJAN GIVES UP
KARABAKH”

ARMENIAN BONE MARROW DONOR REGISTRY

RA WRITERS UNION CONDEMNS TERRORIST ACT COMMITTED AGAINST JOURNALISTS
IN TSAKHKADZOR

WILL RELEVANT FIELD FOR CONTROL CASH MACHINES BE CREATED?

CONTEXT BECOMES MAIN GOAL

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AN ISRAELITE JOURNALIST TO REPROACH ISRAEL AND TURKEY

The famous International Herald Tribune daily published Israelite
journalist Jay Bushinsky’s article titled “The Armenian Genocide:
Face history’s heartbreaking truth”. The journalist writes: “The
carnage perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks 89 years ago, in which 1.5
million ethnic Armenians were killed or deported, was a tragic
prelude to the Nazi Holocaust of 1939-1945 in which six million Jews
were annihilated. Hitler’s determination to destroy European Jewry
was encouraged by the world’s lack of interest in the Armenian
tragedy. In a speech delivered to his troops on Aug. 22, 1939 – nine
days before he invaded Poland – he was quoted as having said: `Who,
after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?'”

Ironically, Hitler’s rhetorical question is inscribed on one of the
walls of the US Holocaust Memorial in Washington, and rightly so.

Then he goes on reminding that “the latest attempt by
Armenian-American activists to win Congressional recognition of the
Armenian genocide was a failure. Other interest groups, including
Jewish ones, misguided or opportunistic, convinced a vast majority of
the American lawmakers that a resolution along those lines would
offend the Turks at a time when the United States needs them as
allies”.

“Israel’s government winced when Turkey’s prime minister, Recep
Tayyip Erdogan, assailed its policy and behavior in the West Bank and
Gaza Strip as well as toward the Palestinians in general. But neither
Israel nor the overseas Jewish organizations dared remind Erdogan
that leaders of nations that had committed crimes against humanity
had best refrain from preaching to others – a lesson learned and
followed by Germany”.

He feels pain that “the Israeli diplomacy puts contemporary
priorities ahead of moral obligations. When a major documentary about
the Armenian Genocide was due to be screened here, the foreign
ministry intervened out of consideration for Turkish sensibilities.
It is hypocritical to expect compassion and sympathy from the peoples
of the world for the lives lost in the Holocaust when ‘raison d’état’
prevents Israel and most Israelis from commiserating with the
Armenians”.

He closes the article saying: “Historical truth must be faced
regardless of how heartbreaking it may be. It cannot be subordinated
to the ebb and flow of modern international relations. Anyone who
visited the Armenians’ grim memorial to their martyred brothers and
sisters south of Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, in the shadow of
biblical Mount Ararat, cannot but grieve with them.

Israelis, Jews, Zionists and their supporters should comfort the
Armenians in their national sorrow and the Turks should accept the
photographs, documents and above all testimony, which commemorate the
Armenian Genocide, instead of insisting that it never happened”.

We, Armenians, have to appreciate Jay Bushinsky’s courage and
impartiality. There will always be moral people and organizations
that will keep on pursuing the leaders of Turkey and Israel till they
cease closing eyes on the historic facts.

By Harut Sassounian

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ILHAM ALIYEV’S GERMAN HUMANISM

“People of Different Nationalities Live in Azerbaijan, Armenians May
Live in Nagorno Karabakh”

It turns out that Ilham Aliyev is a great humanist. During the mutual
press conference with Gerhard Schroeder in Berlin he declared:
“People of Different Nationalities Live in Azerbaijan, Armenians May
Live in Nagorno Karabakh”. Mr. Aliyev said that he is not against
Armenians living in Nagorno Karabakh and in Azerbaijan if only they
submit to Baku.

Only few weeks ago the president of the Statistics’ Administration of
Azerbaijan Arif Veliev said that the population of the country is 8.3
million, 697 out of which are Armenians. It is interesting that
before the Sumgait pogroms of 1988 the Armenian population was 300
thousand (not counting Karabakh population). Therefore, if there are
only 657 Armenians in Azerbaijan it speaks against the Azeris.

The Armenian population of Azerbaijan was deported before the
Karabakh war started, thus the war is not the reason. Mr. Aliyev
supposed in Germany what will happen if all Armenians living abroad
decide on self-determination. “Imagine only how many new Armenian
states will appear on the world map in that case”, German Deutsch
Press news agency cites Mr. Aliyev’s words.

This was Ilham Aliyev’s first official visit to Germany. After having
signed Azeri-German documents Gerhard Schroeder stated: “I can say
that Germany is still Azerbaijan’s partner and recognizes its
territorial wholeness. President Aliyev and I think that the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict should only find a peaceful resolution.”

The Azeri president repeated that Armenia already gained independence
and that the Armenians of Karabakh cannot gain independence as there
is already a state called Armenia. “Armenia conquered Nagorno
Karabakh and seven more Azeri regions. As far as the Armenian army is
in the occupied territory the conflict will persist”, Mr. Aliyev
said.

Everything is clear with Ilham Aliyev’s “Karabakh strategy”. Being in
European countries on a visit he plays a humanist and a victim but in
Azerbaijan he threatens Karabakh with war if the peace talks give no
result.

Today the Armenian military forces fully control five Azeri
administrative regions, the other two are under partial supervision.
15 percent of Nagorno Karabakh territory is, i.e. regions of
Shahumian, Martakert and Martuni are under Azeri’s control.

By Tatoul Hakobian

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“THE ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER WILL OPEN IF AZERBAIJAN GIVES UP
KARABAKH”

German Ambassador To Turkey Stated in Kars

The issues of the Turkish-Armenian relations, Armenian Genocide and
Armenia’s territorial claims are being actively discussed in Turkey
lately. The Turkish-Armenian border-gate reopening is also a subject
of discussions and now the blockade of Armenia is questioned as
unproductive for Turkey.

The influence of the USA and the EU on Turkey for reconsidering
Turkish-Armenian relations is out of doubt.

In the created situation we can assume that Robert Kocharian’s answer
to a Turkish journalists question (“If you think we can’t do without
Turkey, you are wrong! Armenia is steadily developing without your
help.”) on June 23 at the Parliamentary Assembly of the European
Council made Turkey seriously worry.

There are other reasons for worry besides Armenian president’s
statement, namely Germany’s view expressed by Wolf Ruthard Born,
German ambassador to Turkey. The Turkish Dyunden Bugyue Terjuman
newspaper dwells on the ambassador’s words in its August 25 issue.
According to this publication, the German diplomat visited Trapison,
Ardvin and Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s birthplace Rize where he
met with the latter and then left for Kars on August 24.

The ambassador was welcomed by the Kars deputy mayor Israfil Chakaz.
The deputy mayor presented the claims of the Turkish side as regards
to the border-gate opening. The ambassador Born said in response to
this: “As far as I know the Armenian constitution views Kars and the
surrounding territories as Armenian. The border-gate opening
presupposes a resolution in Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict. If
Azerbaijan gives up Karabakh then the border-gate will open.”

We failed to check out Dyunden Bugyue Terjuman’s information. Though
this information is very vague we still can assume that while,
presenting the claims of the Turkish side for the border-gate
reopening, Kars deputy mayor might have demanded the German
ambassador to support a pro-Azeri resolution for the Nagorno
Karabakh. From this perspective the words of Mr. Born as regards
Azerbaijan’s renunciation of Karabakh are very important.

The ambassador’s approach to the Karabakh conflict as an
Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict is not less important. It’s obvious that
such an approach makes Karabakh one of the conflict sides but not an
apple of discord between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This is not
beneficial for Turkey of course and the embarrassment of the Turkish
newspaper can be understood.

By Hakob Chakrian

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ARMENIAN BONE MARROW DONOR REGISTRY

Amidst the clattering of forks and the chattering of people in the
large banquet room at the Glendale Hilton Friday night, there was a
hushed silence. There on the video screen, 12-year-old Armen looked
into the camera and into the tear-shining eyes of the audience,
telling the story of how he received a match for life through the
efforts of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR).

The dream of finding bone marrow matches for ethnic Armenian patients
is now a dream come true. Over 350 supporters joined the celebrations
at the ABMDR’s third annual Match for Life banquet on August 6th and
helped raise $50,000 for the organization.

Armen, who lives in Yerevan, Armenia, was not the only one with a
story to tell. Ten-year-old Alique Topalian, from Cleveland, Ohio,
took the stage to tell about her struggle to find a bone marrow match
six years ago. Miraculously, Alique went into remission without
needing a match. But the repeated frustrations experienced by
Alique’s family and other Armenian families in failing to find
matched donors from existing bone marrow registries led to the
founding of the ABMDR in 1999. Alique’s courage, strength and will to
live filled the hearts of those present at the Match for Life event.
She was recognized for her courage by a special Inspiration Award by
the ABMDR Board of Directors.

The ABMDR is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to ensure
that every ethnic Armenian, struck with a life-threatening
blood-related illness, is able to find hope for long-term survival
through the identification of a genetically suitable bone marrow
match. In the short time since its inception, the ABMDR has
established tissue-typing laboratories in Yerevan, Armenia and
Glendora, California run by the ABMDR co-founders Dr. Sevak Avagian
Executive Director and President Dr. Frieda Jordan respectively. Both
sites are fully equipped with state-of-the-art DNA molecular typing
equipment and qualified personnel. In LA the recruiting center is
located at Glendale Memorial Hospital – a major supporter of the
project.

Since December 2000, over 8,000 ethnic Armenians from diverse
communities have registered with the ABMDR. Honorary Chairperson and
First Lady of Armenia, Dr. Bella Kocharian, was the first donor to
the project, which seeks to register 10,000 donors by the end of
2004. To date, 332 patients in need of bone marrow transplant have
been referred to ABMDR, 172 potential bone marrow matches have been
identified, and 4 bone marrow transplants have taken place in Los
Angeles, Poland (for Armen), Italy and Germany.

“I am confident that there will be many more success stories to tell
in addition to Alique’s and Armen’s,” said ABMDR President Dr. Frieda
Jordan, in her address. “The tremendous support and hard work of
people like those present tonight, has played a major role in the
success of the registry in finding bone marrow matches and performing
transplants around the world in Armenia, Italy, Germany, France and
right here in California.”

In recognition for outstanding contribution, five awards were
presented by Dr. Frieda Jordan and Board member and Master of the
Ceremonies, Michael Mahdessian, to Dr. Bella Kocharian, Woman of the
Year, for her ongoing commitment to the project; Diana Artunian,
Volunteer of the Year; the Daughters of Vartan, Organization of the
Year; Armen Janian, Man of the Year; and Dario Frommer, Legislator of
the Year. All five were also recognized by City of Glendale Mayor Bob
Yusefian, Congressman Adam Schiff, Assembly member Dario Frommer,
County of Los Angeles supervisor Michael Antonovich, Senator Jack
Scott, and Hon. John Chiang member of State Board of Equilisation
with similar awards. Sam Tripoli and his fellow comedians volunteered
their time and talent, entertaining the guest with light comedy.

Along with ongoing recruitment at Glendale Memorial and at the ABMDR
center in Armenia, special drives are scheduled for Massachusetts and
Canada on October15-17 and November26-28, 2004, respectively. The
ABMDR is seeking to organize donor drives in Armenian communities
worldwide and is asking individuals and organizations for assistance
in this vital effort.

The Match for Life event has brought the ABMDR $50,000 closer to its
goal of raising the $300,000 needed for recruiting 2,000 additional
donors by the end of 2004 and maintaining its global status.
Membership in Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide, affiliation with Caitlin
Raymond International Registry of Worcester, Mass, and participation
in international scientific conferences allow ABMDR to expand its
exposure internationally and reach more patients.

Those who wish to further assist the Registry in reaching these goals
may contact ABMDR President Dr. Frieda Jordan at 347 W. Stocker St.,
Suite 208, Glendale, California 91202 or by calling (818) 547-1374 or
visiting the website

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RA WRITERS UNION CONDEMNS TERRORIST ACT COMMITTED AGAINST JOURNALISTS
IN TSAKHKADZOR

The Chairmanship of RA Writers Union deeply condemns another act of
terror committed against the freedom of speech and public opinion,
against the journalists in Armenia, Tsakhkadzor. A number of unknown
people ignoring the law and order have chosen the resting house of RA
Writers Union this time.

According to the witnesses and the publications in the press a number
of skin head people rushed into the building and committed violence
against the employees of the resting house as well as against the
journalists staying there, as the latter came to Tsakhkadzor to
prepare a report about the brutal annihilation of the forests and the
people who build their palaces on this business.

The wealth of our people, its nature has become the victim of the
criminals that have confused their motherland with their own pockets.
These people built their prosperous life by making the lives of
hundreds harder. Moreover, these impudent people try to create an
atmosphere of terror and fear in the country.

RA Writers Union’s Chairmanship draws the attention of the NGOs as
well as the state bodies and the officials on the disgraceful
behavior of the abovementioned criminals and demands to take the
relevant measures for averting annihilation of Tsakhkadzor forests
and anti-ecological construction.

Chairmanship of RA Writers Union

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WILL RELEVANT FIELD FOR CONTROL CASH MACHINES BE CREATED?

Relevant Draft Law Submitted to RA National Assembly

The application of control cash machines will be more effective if an
equal field is secured in the field, i.e. all the entrepreneurs use
them. Armen Alaverdian, Deputy Head of RA State Tax Service, said
this. He added that with the time all the entrepreneurs will use
control cash machines and the relevant draft law is already submitted
to Ra National Assembly. Two years ago the draft law “On the Trade
Places” that envisaged the issue of control cash machines was
submitted to the parliament, but afterwards, it was replaced by
another draft law “On Trade and Services.” This year on April the
government submitted to the parliament the draft law “On Control Cash
Machines” elaborated by RA Tax Service. Armen Alaverdian is hopeful
that this one will be adopted during the autumn.

Armen Alaverdian agreed that the cash tickets aren’t given always,
but he added that if the consumers demand them they are usually given
the cash tickets. He said that last year RA Tax Service imposed fines
on 4800 firms and companies. In the first half of this year the
number of such cases amounted 2000.

RA Government adopted two decisions specifying the issues of applying
control cash machines. The fist defines the rules of utilization and
registration of the cash machines that will help avoiding many
problems. The second decision the entrepreneurs having kiosks and
street trade points can appeal and get the cash machines. At present,
about 15000 cash machines are being used.

By Ara Martirosian

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CONTEXT BECOMES MAIN GOAL

“Cilicia” to Reach Athens

It has been the fourth day that the ship has left Tsarevo harbor and
passed by Lesbos. In a month “Cilicia” has passed the following
route: Sochi, Novorosiysk, Yalta, Constanta, Varna and Tsarevo.
Hmayak Tarakhchian, Deputy Chair of “Ayas” Marine Research Club”
informed that in all the cities the crew met with the mayors and the
representatives of the Armenian communities. “We have changed our
plans concerning the route. Because of the weather conditions we will
not have the opportunity to visit Egypt, Lebanon and Syria.

At first our aim was to experience the historical traditions of the
Armenian navigation. During our voyage the arrangements organized on
the shores in the cities we visit became more important. In the
course of these arrangements we represent our national culture and
establish new relations with the countries and meet with the Armenian
communities. That is why sometimes we have to change our plans,”
Tarakhchian said.

He also told that when passing through Bulgaria, the sailors met with
Sevada Sevan, RA Ambassador to Bulgaria. For a couple of days Mrs.
Ambassador became a sailor and sailed on the ship to her seashore
house Akhtopole, where Vrbam Stamatov, Bulgarian writer and public
figure, her husband, passed away. According to a marine tradition,
the Armenian sailors sent wreaths to the dept of the sea in memory of
the beloved perished. The sailors did the same when passing by the
house-museum of Commander Andranik.

The weather is getting worse. The sailors were warned against the
heavy storm. After having waited for four days in Tsarevo, “Cilicia”
is on the sea again. It was for the first time in the last several
hundred years that a ship with a waving Armenian flag passed Bosfor.
This year the ship will stay in Venice for the wintertime. If the
time and weather afford, after reaching Athens, “Cilicia ” may return
and sail by the shores of the historical Cilicia. Afterwards, it will
sail in the seas of Greece and Yugoslavia and find its wintry shelter
in the island of St. Lazarus, with the Mkhitarian Congregation.

By Tamar Minasian

SABC News, South Africa
Aug 24 2004

Ambassador says ‘mercenaries’ won’t get death penalty

Samuel Monaisa, the South African ambassador to Gabon, says he is
confident that the 14 suspected mercenaries held in Equatorial Guinea
will not be sentenced to death. Eight South Africans and six
Armenians were arrested in March and accused of plotting to topple
the oil-rich nation’s president with the help of 70 men detained in
Zimbabwe.

The prosecutor called for a maximum sentence on Nick du Toit, the
alleged mercenary leader yesterday, despite an assurance by the
government of Equatorial Guinea that the men would not be sentenced
to death. Monaise says it is common in any such case that the
prosecutor would be driving for a certain sentence but that does not
necessarily mean that is how the final judgment will pan out. He says
furthermore, the fact that what the men had planned was not carried
out and that the government has already ruled out the death sentence
makes him confident. In the Equatorial justice system, trial judges
report directly to the president.

Monaise says he does not have the jurisdiction to approach the court
and request that the government assurance be taken into account. “I
can’t do that that would be interfering in the judicial system of
another country… what we are just trying to do is to ensure that the
trial is transparent, fair and just.”

The South African government has sent four senior officials to attend
the trial. Among them are officials from the department of foreign
affairs, the department of justice and the National Prosecuting
Authority.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
August 24, 2004 Tuesday 9:22 AM Eastern Time

Russian-Armenian joint military group begins exercises

By Tigran Liloyan

YEREVAN

The joint group of the Russian and Armenian Armed Forces began
exercises at the Marshal Bagramyan Training Center in Armavir, West
Armenia, on Tuesday. The joint group was formed within the framework
of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

Motorized infantry units, aviation and artillery will train
cooperation in a defensive operation. A reinforced motorized infantry
unit of Russia and servicemen of the Russian 102nd base in Armenia
are taking part in the drill.

“The exercises are another step towards strengthening
Russian-Armenian military cooperation,” drill commander, Armenian
Deputy Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mikhail Grigoryan said.

The exercises will start as a command-and-staff drill and end with
shooting on August 27.

The Russian 102nd base and border guards of the Russian Federal
Security Service are important components of Armenia’s security. The
5,000-strong 102nd base was opened in Armenia in line with interstate
agreements. It is subordinated to the Russian Group in Transcaucasia
of the North Caucasian Military District. The base has a MiG-29 squad
and S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems.

ARMENIA CUTS BY HALF ITS CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION TO BLACK SEA BANK OF
TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

YEREVAN, August 20 (Noyan Tapan). Armenia cuts its capital
contribution to the Black Sea Bank of Trade and Economic Development
(BSBTED) from 2% to 1%, or 10 mln SDR. According to the RA Ministry of
Finances and Economy, regardless of the fact that the Black Sea Bank
of Trade and Economic Development has great authority, it was
inexpedient for Armenia to put up great means to the capital of the
bank. It was noticed that other similar international organizations
implement more programs in the republic under the conditions of the
same participation of Armenia in them. The establishment of the
Financial Service jointly with the “Izmirian” Foundation was the
BSBTED only investment in Armenia. A credit line of 4 mln dollars for
direct crediting of the small and medium enterprises in Armenia was
opened by the Fund founders in February 2003. But only several credits
have been given up to now. The Black Sea Bank of Trade and Economic
Development was established by Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Russia,
Moldova, Romania, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Ukraine in
1999. The capital of the bank makes about 1 bln SDR (1.325 bln
dollars). The bank contributes to the economic development of the
countries-members and to the deepening of the regional cooperation. It
should be noticed that during the annual meeting of the Council of
Bank Founders, which was held in Tirana (Albania) this year, Armenia
undertook obligations of the chairman for a year, Russia and Moldova
took obligations of co-chairmen (Azerbaijan refused from
chairmanship). At the meeting the representative of Armenia suggested
that the bank should also implement a joint regional program, and it
was apprehended positively. The next similar meeting will be held in
Armenia on June 5, 2005. The “Business Day” with the participation of
foreign investors and representatives of great corporations will be
held within the framework of this meeting.

Associated Press
Aug 19 2004

Ward advances to boxing quarterfinals, but Cuban ousts Martirosyan

GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports Writer

(08-19) 06:00 PDT ATHENS, Greece (AP) —

Though Andre Ward’s six-year winning streak is still intact, the
American light heavyweight now faces for his biggest test yet.

Ward, a top U.S. medal hopeful from Oakland, Calif., beat Italy’s
Clemente Russo 17-9 Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals at
Peristeri Olympic Boxing Hall. Up next: Russia’s Evgeny Makarenko,
who has a streak of his own. He hasn’t lost at a major international
event since 1999.

The Americans finished up a 6-1 run through the preliminaries
Wednesday, sending an impressive eight fighters into the second
round, with two advancing on byes.

But in their first match Thursday, welterweight Vanes Martirosyan
lost 20-11 to Lorenzo Aragon, Cuba’s two-time world champion.

Light welterweight Rock Allen has his first match of the games in
Thursday’s evening session. Except for the heavyweights, all
remaining fighters must win two more matches to reach the semifinals,
where a medal is guaranteed.

Ward, who hasn’t lost since he was 14 years old, easily beat Russo in
both fighters’ first bout of the Olympics.

“I wanted to go out there and look perfect, but there’s no such thing
as perfect,” Ward said. “I was nervous. I always have nerves. Every
time you go into a fight, somebody’s trying to take your head off,
crush your dreams.”

Dancing across the ring and scoring points with both hands, Ward
wrapped up an unremarkable fight by coasting through the fourth round
— perhaps saving his energy for his next bout.

On Tuesday, Ward will fight two-time world champion Makarenko for a
berth in the semifinals and a guaranteed medal. Makarenko owns a
6-inch height advantage on Ward, as well as nearly nine years of
experience in the amateur style.

But Ward, a natural middleweight who bulks up to take on light
heavyweights, has power and quickness that have led him to multiple
national championships — and he likes a challenge.

“I saw (Makarenko) walk out. He’s big,” Ward said with a grin. “He’s
not the first big guy I’ve fought, though. I’ve been fighting giants
my whole life.”

Shortly before Ward’s bout, Martirosyan, an 18-year-old from
Glendale, Calif., was done in by the 30-year-old Aragon’s experience
and aptitude for the amateur style. Aragon seemed to score points
with any sort of punch, while Martirosyan only scored for his best
hits.

Martirosyan, who was born in Armenia, staggered Aragon twice with
quick shots to the head, but the Cuban piled up enough early points
to hang on in a fight much closer than the score.

“He tries to frustrate you with the holding,” Martirosyan said. “He
holds you, pulls you back and makes it look like you’re holding, and
you’re not. It frustrates you. I thought I scored more points, and I
thought I should have won.”

It’s a familiar refrain for fighters facing the Cuban team, which is
given a world of respect by amateur judges.

Martirosyan was the second American eliminated, joining light
flyweight Rau’Shee Warren.

With nine Olympic rookies facing a field featuring Cuban and Russian
veterans gunning for multiple gold medals, not much was expected from
the Americans. Their amateur program has been eroded by easy pro
money and the decidedly un-American judging standards that reward
workmanlike precision over creativity.

But as super heavyweight Jason Estrada demonstrated Wednesday night
with a flashy performance in winning his preliminary bout, the U.S.
fighters are determined to have some fun in Athens.

“That’s the American style of boxing,” coach Basheer Abdullah said.
“That’s what we do. We entertain. Unfortunately, that’s sometimes not
the way it’s perceived here in international amateur boxing.”

The 262-pound Estrada moves on to fight Cuba’s Michel Lopez Nunez.
Estrada beat Lopez Nunez for a gold medal in last year’s Pan American
Games, and he believes his quick hands will give him the edge again.

“Regardless of what happens, I’m going to have fun,” said Estrada,
from Providence, R.I. “All I really wanted to do was have fun and get
the cobwebs out. … For me, (boxing) is something to entertain
people.”

A 121.6% REAL GROWTH OF GDP PROVIDED IN NKR IN FIRST HALF YEAR

STEPANAKERT, August 16 (Noyan Tapan). A 121.6% real growth of GDP was
provided in the NKR in January-June of this year. According to the NKR
National Statistical Service, the volume of industrial output made
7,608 mln drams (about 14.63 mln dollars), which is more by 15.5% in
comparison with the first half of 2003. The volume of the gross
agricultural output made 5,754.3 mln drams, or more by 52.2%. Capital
construction of 3,356.9 mln drams (a 10.7% growth) was carried out in
the NKR during the period under review. Foreign commodity circulation
made 51,772 thousand dollars (139.5%), including the exports –
17,808.5 thousand dollars (136.3%) and the imports – 33,963.6 thousand
dollars (141.3%). In the first half of 2004 the average mothly nominal
salary of one employee made 38,157 drams, which is more by 17.8% in
comparison with the same period of last year.

RosBusinessConsulting Database
August 10, 2004 Tuesday 8:58 am, EST

Aeroflot concludes accord with Armavia

Aeroflot has concluded an inter-airline agreement with the Armavia
airline (Armenia), the PR department of Aeroflot reported. The
document envisages that flights of both companies will be connected
in a convenient way for passengers. In addition, the two companies
will implement inter-airline ticketing allowing customers of one
airline to buy tickets on the other.