Noyan Tapan, Armenia
Aug 10 2004
HAMLET GASPARIAN: `MILITANT APPEALS OF AZERBAIJAN ONLY DEEPEN
YEREVAN, 10.08.04. RA Foreign Ministry considers inadmissible
Azerbaijan`s last attempt to disguise its non-constructive position
in achievement of a long peace. Hamlet Gasparian, the Spokesman of RA
Foreign Ministry, emphasized this in the August 6 press release while
commenting upon the statement spread on August 4 by the Foreign
Ministry of Azerbaijan in connection with the military exercises held
in Nagorno Karabakh. `Azerbaijan`s militant statements, doscontent
with peace, legal, democratic elections of the Nagorno Karabakh
people or disdainful statements regarding fulfilment of the right of
self-determination by it only deepen the atmosphere of mistrust and
cynicism,` the press release said. The Spokesman of RA Foreign
Ministry mentioned that despite of unsuccessful comment of the Azeri
side, Armenia is always ready to participate in the efforts of the
international organizations is the region, in particular, in the
forthcoming exercises within the framework of the `Best Joint Effort
– 2004` program of NATO, as well as to continue being involved into
the negotiation process on peace settlement of the conflict.

Noyan Tapan, Armenia
Aug 10 2004
NKR LEADERSHIP EXPRESSES PERPLEXITY ON OCCASION OF STATEMENT OF CE
STEPANAKERT, 10.08.04. `The NKR leadership thinks that the election
of the government bodies of all the levels on the basis of the
principles of democracy is an important step on the way to the
construction of the free democratic society.` It is mentioned in
comments of the press service of the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs
in connection with the statement of Secretary General of the Council
of Euorpe Walter Schwimmer on the inadmissibility of the holding of
the NKR local elections. Reminding that W. Schwimmer comes up not for
the first time with such statements, in which the holding of the
elections in Nagorno Karabakh is condemned, the comments express
perplexity in connection with the fact that it is not clear how the
elections may negatively influence the process of the settlement of
the Karabakh conflict, because it is obvious that only the legitimate
power may bear the responsibility for the entrusted territories and
has necessary authorities for carrying on peaceful negotiations on
the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. `The NKR for over 10
years has lived as a sovereign state, which bears no relation to
Azerbaijan and independently organizes its life in the territory that
historically belongs to the Armenians of Karabakh. An impression has
grown up in us that all the international structures that come up
with such statements render political support to the regime, which
unleashed the large-scale war against Nagorno Karabakh and doesn`t
refuse from the attempts to aply force against the NKR. Meanwhile,
according to many independent experts, Nagorno Karabakh takes the
lead over Azerbajan on the level of its democracy,` reads the
comments of the press service of the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

ArmenPress
Aug 10 2004
FM PRESS SECRETARY SAYS AZERBAIJAN SHOULD ALSO BE INTERESTED IN PEACE
YEREVAN, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS: Armenian foreign ministry press
secretary Hamlet Gasparian commented on Mamediaor’v recent statement
saying that Azerbaiajan will consider its determination to be
involved in negotiation process unless OSCE Minks Group comes up with
a statement condemning Armenian actions (in relation to August 8
municipality elections and military exercises in Nagorno Karabakh).
Gasparian said Azerbaijan is trying to make a trick out of its
involvement in negotiation process and uses it as a means to make
pressures on international community, particularly OSCE Minsk Group.
This does not speak about Azerbaijan’s seriousness in its efforts to
reach peace.
Imagine that Armenia also rises issues as a precondition for its
continued involvement in negotiation process, for example, demanding
that the mediators greet the elections in Nagorno Karabakh, Gasparian
continued. After all, not only Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh but
Azerbaijan should also be interested in peace. Otherwise, fruitless
are negotiations with a partner who serves them as a means for
blackmail and manipulations, Gasparian said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
Aug 10 2004
PAKISTAN SUPPORTS AZERBAIJAN IN KARABAKH CONFLICT RESOLUTION
BAKU, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS: Pakistani defense ministry military
staff joint committee chairman, General Muhamed Aziz Khan in his
meeting with Azeri defense minister Safar Abiev informed yesterday
about the military political developments in South Asia and expressed
gratitude to Azerbaijan for its disposition in Kashmir issue.
“Pakistani nation has supported and will continue to support
Azerbaijan in Karabakh conflict,” the General said.
Abiev detailed the situation in South Caucasus saying that
channels for dialogue in Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict are not used
up yet. “Up to now we have prefered to solve the issue through
negotiations. When we feel that such opportunities are exhausted we
will liberate our lands. Azerbaijan will not surrender a single cm of
land, ” he said.

ArmenPress
Aug 10 2004
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ARMENIAN EDUCATION HELD
ANTELIAS, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS: Initiated by His Holiness
Catholicos Aram I and organized by the Armenian Catholicosate of
Cilicia an International Conference on Armenian education was held in
the Armenian Theological Seminary, in Bikfaya, Lebanon from 5-7
August 2004. The theme of the Conference was “The Armenian Education
in the Diaspora”. About one hundred people from different parts of
the world, from communities living in different political, cultural
and religious contexts came together to focus their attention on
issues pertaining to the Armenian-Christian formation today in a new
world setting.
In his opening address His Holiness Aram I identified the concerns
and challenges facing the Armenian Christian education in the context
of pluralistic societies. He addressed a number of critical issues,
and then posed two questions. What does it mean to be Armenian
Christian? How should we form the Armenian Christian for tomorrow?
His Holiness underscored the crucial importance of re-evaluating and
renewing our educational methodologies, strategies and programs by
making them more relevant and reliable. At the end of his address His
Holiness proposed that Armenia and Diaspora together engage in a
process of developing a Pan-Armenian educational policy with
particular emphasis on the worldwide Armenian Diaspora.
The agenda of the conference included the following topics: The
actual state of education in different continents where Armenian
communities live; the implications of globalization to education; the
role of the church in Armenian Christian formation; the family as an
important educational instrument; the impact of pluralistic societies
on Armenian Education; the use and misuse of technology in education;
the role of the textbooks and the extra curricula activities; human
resources: formation and training; the contribution of the Saturday
schools, Sunday schools and children’s camps to education; the
importance of new community schools for the Armenian communities
established in the West.
The conference addressed these and a number of related matters
through papers, panel discussions and hearings. The active
participation of young educators and women provided new perspectives
and dynamism to the discussion. They challenged the traditional views
and approaches and constantly reminded that in a new world context a
renewed perception and vision of education are imperative. They
echoed the challenge of His Holiness that in the present world of
globalization and communication and in a context of new societies,
our education must become more responsive and attractive.
His Holiness personally attended all the sessions and at the end
of each session he highlighted the emerging concerns and views.
The conference, which was an unprecedented event in the
contemporary Armenian history, summarized its findings in a
declaration where a particular emphasis was laid on the importance of
translating the Conference’s reflection into action.
In his closing remarks His Holiness Aram I identified three words
which should occupy a central place in our educational work:
“relevance, coherence and integrity”. He said “We are living in
different contexts. We must, therefore, develop different educational
procedures and strategies. We are citizens of different countries,
yet we are Armenians and part of the globalized world. We have our
own convictions, values and norms, but we are living in a new
environment. Hence, it is vitally important that we develop the kind
of educational policy that provides integrity, relevance and
coherence to our educational work, at the same time preserving our
distinct Armenian Christian identity. This is a great challenge
before us and we must take it seriously and responsibly”, said His
Holiness.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Aug 9 2004
Opposition party to continue protests

Baku, August 9, AssA-Irada
The Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (WAPFP) will continue
protests against the participation of Armenian officers in NATO
training to be held in Baku this September.
The party plans to picket the Defense Ministry on Wednesday as well
as the US and French embassies in Baku – on Thursday and on Friday
respectively.
The WAPFP intends to hold ten protest actions outside some of the
ministries and the embassies of NATO member states by September. The
police prevented the party’s August 2 picket held outside the Foreign
Ministry 2.
The Mayoral Office of Baku has not sanctioned the WAPFP’s protest
actions.*

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Aug 9 2004
Opposition leader holds news conference on visit to USA

Baku, August 9, AssA-Irada
Ali Karimli, chairman of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan
(PFPA-reformers), told a Monday news conference that he attended the
International Forum of Leaders held in the United States on July
24-29.
Karimli said that during the visit he met with former US President
Bill Clinton, former secretary of state Madeleine Albright and top
officials of Bush’s administration. He noted that non-provision of
the Azerbaijani citizens with the freedom of free assembly, the
Garabagh conflict as well as upcoming municipal and parliamentary
elections were discussed during the meetings.
Touching upon the forthcoming US presidential elections, Karimli
explained the pro-Armenian position of John Kerry nominated by the
Democrats Party with the fact that he has been elected a Senator from
the state of Massachusetts and that Armenians make up the majority of
population in this state.
The PFPA chairman said that the goal of the Forum was to make public
the foreign policy concept of Democrats Party’s candidate for the US
presidency.*

Mediamax news agency, Yerevan, in Russian
10 Aug 04
ARMENIA, USA DISCUSS MILITARY COOPERATION
YEREVAN
Armenia and the USA held the third round of bilateral consultations on
cooperation in defence on 2-7 August in Kansas.
The consultations considered the present condition and prospects for
further development of military and military-political cooperation
between Armenia and the USA, Mediamax news agency has learnt.
The Armenian delegation at the consultations was headed by the deputy
minister of defence, Lt-Gen Artur Agabekyan, the American delegation
by the US deputy assistant secretary of defence, James MacDougall.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Assa-Irada, Baku, in Azeri
9 Aug 04
US PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL KERRY “PRO-ARMENIAN”, AZERI OPPOSITION LEADER SAYS
Baku, 9 August: The chairman of the reformist wing of the People’s
Front of Azerbaijan Party, Ali Karimli, has met ex-US President Bill
Clinton, former US Secretary of State Madlen Albright and some
leading figures from the Bush administration during the forum of
international leaders in Boston which he attended between 24 and 29
July. Karimli held a press conference today to impart information in
this regard.
During the meetings, Karimli mainly discussed ensuring freedom of
assembly for Azerbaijani citizens, the Nagornyy Karabakh problem, and
the forthcoming municipal and parliamentary elections.
Karimli also talked about the upcoming presidential election in the
USA. He said that the Democratic hopeful, John Kerry, was
pro-Armenian because he was a senator from the state of Massachusetts
where many Armenians live.
The objective of the forum was the unveiling of the foreign policy
concept of the Democratic contender in the US elections.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Hindu
August 9, 2004
RUGBY REVIVAL IN THE SOUTH
IT WAS good to see a 15-a-side rugby match in Chennai again after
decades. And it was nice to see a Tamil Nadu team, from the Armed
Police, emerge champions in the qualifiers for the Nationals, beating
the multinational Bangalore Rugby Football Club. With the Sports
Development Authority of Tamil Nadu encouraging the efforts of the
Tamil Nadu Rugby Football Union, the game is fast spreading in the
city and promises to spread in the mofussil too with the SDAT’s
backing.
Responsible for bringing rugby back to Madras – and helping it
establish itself in Bangalore, Pondicherry and, soon, Hyderabad – is
Patrick Davenport, a fast-talking, hard-selling American businessman
who has settled in Madras. Yes, American, and one who says it is a
game quite popular now in American universities that produce a
national team that must rate amongst the top 15 in the world.
Davenport himself played for the University of Detroit and has been
passionate about the game since. Today, he’s got about half a dozen
teams regularly playing rugby in Madras and has got about 25 schools,
including 15 corporation schools, to take to the game. Teaming with
Davenport in spreading the game in the city is the president of the
TRFU, Mohan Krishna, and technical director Emil Vartazarian, a
Calcutta Armenian who is probably the best player in the country.
The pity of this passion is that the institution that gave South
India rugby is showing no interest at all in the game. The Madras
Gymkhana Rugby Football Challenge Cup was instituted in 1900 and was
once competed for every October during what was known as the Madras
Rugger Week, teams coming down from the Anamalais, the High Range,
Nilgiris, Wynaad and Bangalore to play and frolic. The Gymkhana also
used to host the All India every few years till, if I remember right,
1954, fielding a team every year in the tournament. By the 1960s,
however, the Gymkhana Club began to take a new view of itself, and
rugby vanished from the Madras scene, leaving it to Calcutta and
Bombay to manfully struggle to keep the game alive in the country.
That struggle has begun to pay off – and the game is enjoying an
all-India revival with a dozen States taking to it.
Remembering Arbuthnot
Though the Gymkhana Club was responsible for keeping Rugby alive in
South India for over 50 years, the beginnings of the game were less
formal. Those beginnings were on The Island where Alexander
Arbuthnot, just out of Rugby School and Haileybury, introduced soon
after his arrival in 1842 the game his old school had invented. He
had introduced the game in Haileybury too the institution which
turned out cricket-playing Civilians for Indian service. Alick’
Arbuthnot was another one of those cricketers and made an even bigger
contribution to South India when he founded the Madras Cricket Club
in 1846. But Alick Arbuthnot’s greatest contribution to the
Presidency was an institution which serendipitously finds mention
elsewhere in today’s column; as Director of Public Instruction he
played a major role in establishing the University of Madras.
In 1858, Arbuthnot delivered the first Convocation Address of the
University and Thamotharampillai and Visuvanathapillai would have
received their sheepskins from him. In 1871, he became the
Vice-Chancellor of the University whose details he had helped to work
out. In 1878, he became the Vice Chancellor of the University of
Calcutta, after, in the years in-between, having served as the Chief
Secretary and, for a few months, Acting Governor of Madras. It’s
quite a contribution he made to Madras between 1842 and 1872, but
none of it nor the man is remembered.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress