PRICES FOR RESIDENTIAL HOUSES GROW IN ARTSAKH
STEPANAKERT, November 17 (Noyan Tapan). A considerable growth in prices
for residential houses has been registered during the current year
in Artsakh. At present 1 and 2-room apartments are of much demand
here. Their prices grew by about 70% compared with the previous
year. At present the average price for 1-room apartment fluctuates
between .5-6.5 thousand. According to the Aspar agency on purchase
and sale of real estate, there are many people from the villages of
the republic, RA, Russia, Spyurk among the buyers who want to become
residents of Stepanakert.
Growth in prices for residential houses was also registered in
Shushi in the previous months. This is connected with immigration of
population. The average prices for 2-room apartments fluctuate here
between 00-2000 against 0 registered last year.

ACTIVITIES OF TOTALITARIAN SECTS CONTRADICT NATIONAL AND STATE INTERESTS OF
ARMENIAN PEOPLE
ETCHMIADZIN, November 18 (Noyan Tapan). The meeting of the Supreme
Spiritual Council, which was held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
under the chairmanship of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II,
touched upon the activities of the sectarian organizations and the
problems of the recent official registration of the “Jehovah’s
Witnesses” sect in Armenia. After getting acquaintance with the
conducted researches and after exchanging views, the Supreme Spiritual
Council decided to make a statement:
“The Armenian Apostolic Church recognizes the right to the liberty
of conscience as a basic value of Christianity. At the same time,
it considers the fact that the religious organizations registered
in Armenia, whose activities are directed at the hunt for soles,
by all possible means violate this right to liberty of conscience as
inadmissible,” the statement reads.
The Armenian Church expresses its anxiety in connection with the fact
that the religious organizations are registered by the corresponding
state bodies as a result of not adequate explorations and not too
zealous attitude towards the law. “The activities of the totalitarian
sects, including the “Jehovah’s Witnesses”, contradict the national and
state interests and the aspirations of our people, saving teaching of
Christianity and seriously contradicts the international lawfulness,
the RA Constitution, those principles of the RA law “On Liberty of
Conscience and Religious Organizations” that consolidate the issues
of state security, public customs, morality, people’s health, the
protection of others’ rights, etc.,” the Supreme Spiritual Council
announces.
The Supreme Spiritual Council emphasizes that the “Jehovah’s Witnesses”
sect is registered as a “Christian” sect, whereas it connects with
the Christianity by no means and isn’t recognized by the traditional
Christian Church, the World Council of Churches, the Union of European
Churches, as well as other organizations. “It is interesting that the
“Jehovah’s Witnesses” organization under cover of Christianity comes
up only in the midst of the Christians and in the Christian countries
and never in the Moslem ones,” the document reads.
Such situation, according to the Supreme Spiritual Council, can’t
contribute to the health of public consciousness, implicit obedience to
spiritual moral values in the country, especially when the Motherland
and the people face the various economic and social difficulties and
are in the process of reforms now.”
“The Armenian Holy Apostolic Church devoted to its mission and
realizing its duty before its sons is in the mood to defend its flock
from any infringements of their integrity and security. The Supreme
Spiritual Council expects that the corresponding state bodies will
start the reconsideration and settlement of these problems. It is
necessary that the RA law “On Liberty of Conscience and Religious
Organizations” should be re-examined to contribute to the regulation of
the activities of the religious organizations and serve the protection
of liberty of conscience, regardless of anarchy and uncontrol,”
the Supreme Spiritual Council states.
The Supreme Council calls on the people to remain loyal to the heritage
of our ancestors – our Holy Apostolic faith.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

11,000 REFUGEES FROM AZERBAIJAN DON’T HAVE PERMANENT HOUSING
YEREVAN, November 19 (Noyan Tapan). In accordance with the 2005 draft
state budget, financial support to four long-term programs implemented
by the Department on Issues of Migration and Refugees, as well as to
the maintenance costs of the Department staff is expected. Two of
these programs concern the resolution of the problems of refugees
from Azerbaijan. 13 mln drams are foreseen for the resolution of
their social problems and 9.6 mln drams for filing and application of
computer data of refugees and their families. Another two programs
concern the work carried out with those applying to the Armenian
authorities for asylum. Such people are lodged in special dwellings
before decision making. Expenditures of 6 mln drams are foreseen for
their maintenance. 300,000 drams (10,000 drams for each) are foreseen
for the lump sum allowance for those applying for the receiving of
the refugee status.
Gagik Yeghanian, the Chief of the Department on Issues of Migration
and Refugees, said during the November 17 joint sitting of the
Standing Commissions of the RA National Assembly that 11,000
families of refugees from Azerbaijan haven’t had permanent housing
up to now. According to the governmental decision of June 2004, it is
expected that the housing problem of 3,470 vulnerable families will be
solved first of all. The problem should be resolved owing to allocation
of certificates for the purchase of housing to the families. The total
cost of the program makes 18 mln dollars, and the Intergovernmental
Commission is established for the search of these funds.

ARCHBISHOP HOVNAN DERDERIAN PRESIDES OVER ANNUAL BANQUET OF ARMENIAN CHURCH OF PHOENIX, ARIZONA
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA, November 17 (Noyan Tapan). On the evening of
November 13, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the
Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America,
presided over and was the guest speaker during the annual banquet of
the Armenian Apostolic Church of Phoenix, Arizona.
“Tonight’s banquet is another milestone as we approach the most
significant date of the construction of the new church. As Armenian
Christians we are challenged to maintain our Christian identity. This
year as we prepare to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide and to celebrate the 1600th anniversary of the creation of the
Armenian alphabet, we are challenged to reawaken in us our commitment
to guard our Christian faith, our culture and language. With your
presence today I witness the reawakening of our Christian faith.
Tonight my heart also rejoices with the accomplishments of our
community which also inspires me in my mission within the Western
Diocese.”
According to the Press Office of the Western Diocese, during the
banquet the Chair of the Parish Council formally informed the guests
of the transfer of two funds. The State of Arizona Department of
Transportation has compensated the Armenian Church of Arizona with a
sum of 5,114, and a donation of ,414 has been made by the Dockmejian
Trust which has identified the Church of Phoenix as a beneficiary of
the Dockmejian Estate.
According to information given by the Parish Council, the construction
is estimated to have a budget of .5 million, of which roughly million
has already been raised.
On Sunday, November 14 Archbishop Hovnan Derderian celebrated Divine
Liturgy and delivered the Sermon on the theme of “humility”. Following
Divine Liturgy a fellowship hour and a meeting took place between all
auxiliary organizations of the church, during which each body presented
its activities, and a question and answer forum took place. In his
closing remarks the Primate commanded the Parish Council and the
auxiliary bodies for their exemplary dedication.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT ABOUT 1 MLN EUROS TO BE COLLECTED DURING “PHONETHON-2004”
YEREVAN, November 18 (Noyan Tapan). A phonethon organized on the eve
of the telethon of the Pan-Armenian “Hayastan” (“Armenia”) Fund will
start in Paris and four cities of France this year on November 18 at
6:00 p.m.. According to the Executive Committee of the Fund, over 600
volunteers, who will call 30,000 Armenian families, will participate
in the arrangement which will last till November 21, 6:00 p.m..
Regardless of the fact that the phonethon will take place in France,
the volunteers will not be limited with calls in the cities of
France, they will also call Germany, Spain, Holland, Portugal and
other countries. According to the organizers, in comparison with the
previous years, it will be possible to collect larger sum during the
“Phonethon-2004” – about 1 mln euros. It was also mentioned that the
“France Telecom” company will provide telephone communication.

TROUPE OF SUNDUKIAN THEATER COMES BACK FROM U.S. WITH NINE VALUABLE DIPLOMAS
OF GRATITUDE
YEREVAN, November 19 (Noyan Tapan). From October 23 to November 7,
the National Academic Theater after Sundukian was on a jubilee tour in
the US in connection with the 80th anniversary of its foundation. The
Sundukian troupe performed Levon Shant’s “Old Gods” and American
playwright Ray Coon’s “Night Feast” plays at the famous “Alex” and
“Academy-Police” auditoriums of Los Angeles.
Vahe Shahverdian, Artistic Director and head producer of the theater,
said during a press conference that the tour was a great success, and
nine valuable diplomas of gratitude, including the diplomas given by
the US Senate, the Governor of California, the municipal authorities
of Los Angeles to the troupe are the evidence of this fact. “Old Gods”
received an especially enthusiastic welcome, that’s why Levon Shant’s
this work was performed instead of two announced performances of
“Night Feast”.
V. Shahverdian noticed that the tour was finished with the jubilee
celebration held at “Academy-Police” on October 29. Representatives
of foreign embassies, two members of the Armenian higher orders of
clergy, the RA Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs, the American
high-ranking officials, Armenian philanthropists from the Diaspora
were also present there. It was also noticed that the tour was widely
covered by the Diasporan and American press.
According to V. Shahverdian, the tour was held at the private
invitation of the Armenian- American Cultural and Musical-Theatrical
Union, but then it turned to an arrangement of state level due to
its quality and good organization. The organizers also invited the
troupe of the theater to give performances in th e US next year.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PROPOSAL TO BE SUMITTED TO MILLENNIUM CHALLENGES PROGRAM SHOULD
PROMOTE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF COUNTRY
YEREVAN, November 19 (Noyan Tapan). The cost of the program, which will
be included in the Armenian proposal to be submitted for financing
within the framework of the US Millennium Challenges program, is not
specified yet.
The RA Minister of Finance and Economy Vardan Khachatrian stated at
the November 19 press conference that the government is developing a
proposal that will most promote the economic growth and include only
one program. The minister noted that during the Armenian delegation’s
visit to the US in late October the proposal of 0 million was presented
only to “negotiate and discuss it.” It included 6 programs and was
envisaged for 3 years, while it was required to present a program
envisaged for 2 years.
It is noteworthy that the RA government plans to present its proposal
to the Millennium Challenges corporation in the coming months. It is
envisaged to be related to rural infrastructures.
To recap, the budget of the Millennium Challenges corporation is 2-3
billion dollars, and the number of candidate countries is 17.

INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT DEDICATED TO TIGRAN PETROSIAN’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY
STARTS IN YEREVAN ON NOVEMBER 19
YEREVAN, November 19 (Noyan Tapan). The opening of the international
Tournament dedicated to the 75th anniversary of world nine-time
champion Tigran Petrosian started in Yerevan on November 19. A group
of participants of tbe tournament and organizers headed by RA Minister
of Defense Serge Sargsian laid flowers to the monument to T. Petriosian
situated near the Armenian Central Chess-Players House.
During the solemn opening of the tournament Serge Sargsian hailed all
the participants of the tournament and wished them every success. He
also conveyed the greetings and good wishes of RA Prime Minister
Andranik Margarian.
Then referee of international category Armen Nikoghosian, the head
referee of the tournament, informed participants about the order of
tournament and held the draw. Ukrainian grand master Vasili Ivanchuk,
the 2004 World Olympiad and European champion, who has the highest
rating, “selected” the image of a black horse. It means that he and
other chess-players with odd numbers will play with black figures in
D 1.
D 1 was held the same day. About 140 chess-players from different
countries participate in the international tournament dedicated to
the memorable tournament of the world nine-time champion. About 30
participants of the touranment are grand masters, there are also many
international masters. The winner and other prize holders will become
known on November 27.

ARMENIAN NATIONAL-CULTURAL AUTONOMY ESTABLISHED IN KALININGRAD OBLAST
KALININGRAD, November 17 (Noyan Tapan). The first constituent
conference of the Armenian Diaspora of the Kaliningrad oblast was
held in Kaliningrad on November 10. The Armenian Diaspora sent 150
delegates, who are outstanding figures of the spheres of science,
education, medicine, industry, business, culture and art, to the
conference.
The Armenian regional national-cultural autonomy of the Kaliningrad
oblast was established on the basis of the Russian law “On National and
Cultural Autonomy”. The new organization united three regional public
organizations and two local national-cultural autonomies. Governing
bodies, i.e. the Autonomy Council, the Auditing Commission, the
Council on Education and Youth Affairs, the Board of Trustees, the
Artistic Council, have been formed. Felix Gevorgian, the Chairman
of the “Armenian Scientific-Informational and Cultural Center” pubic
organization was elected Chairman of the Autonomy.
Consul General of Armenia to St. Petersburg Ruben Hakobian, as well as
German Ananiants, a representative of the Union of Armenians of Russia,
and Oleg Panasenko, a representative of the regional administration,
participated in the work of the conference.
The directorate consisting of professional builders has been formed
with the purpose of the construction of the Armenian Church. The
first stage of the construction of the Armenian Church is scheduled
for spring 2005. The project of the work of the autonomy for 2005
is approved.
Two Armenian Sunday schools, the “Armenia” ensemble of folk dances,
the “Nairi” regional newspaper, a youth organization, an informational
center, a chess club after Tigran Petrosian, a a computer graphic
studio successfully operate in the Armenian Diaspora of the Kaliningrad
oblast today.

5,200 STUDENTS STUDY IN NAGORNO KARABAKH
STEPANAKERT, November 17 (Noyan Tapan). A solemn arrangement was
held on the occasion of the International Youth Day in Stepanakert on
November 17. The NKR Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport awarded
the best students of higher schools of the republic with diplomas and
souvenirs. Universal tree planting was organized by the students in
the capital of the republic.
According to the NKR Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport, one
state, seven private higher schools and five technical secondary
schools operate in Nagorno Karabakh today. A total of 5,200 students
study there, 3,600 of them study at the Artsakh State University.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress