CUSTOMS COMMITTEE REFUTES ACCUSATIONS OF “ROYAL ARMENIA”
YEREVAN, July 30 (Noyan Tapan). The RA State Customs Committee
refutes the accusations of the “Royal Armenia” company that as if
customs workers refuse to draw up 91 tons, 800 kilograms of
unproccessed coffee imported by the company to the country without any
grounds. Gevorg Nersisian, a lawyer of the committee, said on July 30
that in case of the presentation of corresponding documents by the
“Royal Armenia” company, the indicated number of coffee will be
regisered. As for the fulfillment of court rulings satisfying the
claims of the company against the Customs Committee, according to
G. Nersisian, they are ready to fulfill these decisions, if the
company presents the documents confirming the expenditures of cargo
unloading or trans-shipment of the volume of cargoes in Poti port
(which aren’t mentioned in the court rulings). To recap, on July 27,
representatives of the company stated that customs workers from time
to time set customs costs for foodstuffs and coffee imported by them
to the country higher by 50-100% than their real customs cost. At the
same time, they set customs costs for the same goods imported by other
companies at least twice as less than the goods imported by the “Royal
Armenia” company. It should be also mentioned that the court instances
have already satisfied three claims submitted by this company in this
connection up to day.

ARKADY GHOUKASSIAN THANKS ARMENIAN DIPLOMATS FOR ACTIVE CONTRIBUTION
TO INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF NKR
STEPANAKERT, July 30 (Noyan Tapan). As part of celebrations of the
10th anniversary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, on July 30 NKR President Arkady Ghoukassian
received a delegation of the Armenian MFA led by Minister Vardan
Oskanian as well as workers of the central staff of the NKR Ministry
of Foreign Affairs led by Minister Ashot Ghulian. The delegation also
included Armenia’s ambassadors to a number of foreign states. The
meeting was attended also by permanent representatives of the NKR
abroad. According to the Head Information Department attached to the
NKR President, during the meeting Vardan Oskanian expressed his
gratitude to the NKR leadership for the invitation to take part in the
ceremonial events in connection with the jubilee of the Karabakh
foreign-policy department. He pointed out that during the jubilee
celebrations a consultation on topical issues of Armenia’s and
Karabakh’s foreign policies took place, which proved useful in terms
of exchanging opinions and in terms of prospects for further
development and deepening of cooperation between the ministries of the
two Armenian republics. Ghoukassian thanked the Armenian diplomats for
their active contribution to the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh’s
problem, pointing out the importance of solving tasks facing the
Armenian people through combined efforts of Karabakh, Armenia and the
Armenian Diaspora. In this connection, the NKR head stressed the need
for more frequent conduct of meetings between the workers of the two
foreign-policy departments. A ceremony of signing the Protocol on
Cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and
Nagorno Karabakh took place in conclusion.

MAJOR TASK OF ARMENIAN DIPLOMACY REMAINS NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT
SETTLEMENT, NKR AND RA FOREIGN MINISTERS STRESS
STEPANAKERT, July 30 (Noyan Tapan). Urgent matters were discussed and
clarified at the joint consultation between the NKR Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and the RA diplomatic corps staged in Stepanakert in
the framework of the events dated do the 10th anniversary of the
Nagorno Karabakh Foreign Ministry. The outcome of the consultation was
the memorandum on partnership signed by the two parties, the NKR
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ashot Gulian revealed at a joint press
conference on July 30. The results of the consultation were summed up
at the press conference. The current major objective of the Armenian
diplomacy the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, ministers
of Foreign Affairs of the two countries stressed. The current
negotiations process cannot be considered a dead-end, an opinion often
expressed by various political experts, the RA minister of Foreign
Affairs Vardan Oskanian said. The involvement of the Nagorno Karabakh
party in negotiations is a must, Mr. Ashot Gulian believes. The
trilateral format gives an opportunity to settle a mutually profitable
agreement, he said. There is no tangible difference in stances assumed
by parties in the conflict, no stable points of contiguity can be
observed, the RA Minister of Foreign Affairs said. Commenting on the
question whether the principle of compulsion on the part of
international organization can be used, Mr. Oskanian replied that the
negotiations haven’t reached that stage yet. The two ministers also
touched upon the issue of Armenian-Azerbaijan border incidents that
have become more frequent of late, stressing that the initiative to
violate the cease-fire belongs to the Azeri side.

HACHIKIAN TRAVELS TO SOUTHLAND TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE ANCA
LOS ANGELES, CA, July 30 (Noyan Tapan). The Chairman of the Armenian
National Committee of America Ken Hachikian joined the San Fernando
Valley and Burbank ANC chapters for two separate, but equally
successful, fundraising events on July 12th and 13th, the Armenian
National Committee of America Western Region reports. The two local
ANC chapters, in cooperation of the ANCA-Western Region office,
sponsored the events to raise money to expand and enhance the ANCA’s
effort to advance Armenian issues in Congress, the White House, and
among think tanks in Washington, DC. Speaking to the attendees at each
event, Ken Hachikian highlighted the recent accomplishments of the
ANCA. Notably, he highlighted the passage of H.R. 193, which marks the
15th Anniversary of the U.S. adoption of the U.N. Convention on the
Prevention and Punishment of Genocide. Hachikian reminded the
audience that this pivotal first step towards the passing of a
resolution that will ultimately gain recognition of the Armenian
Genocide would not have been possible without the efforts of local ANC
chapters and the dedication of thousands of ANC activists. Stressing
the many challenges that lie ahead for Armenia and the Armenian
Diaspora, Hachikian called attention to the significance of grassroots
activism and urged supporters to continue their advocacy on behalf of
the Armenian Cause. The San Fernando Valley ANC’s event, which was
held in Encino, attracted over 60 ANCA supporters and raised over
$10,000. The Burbank ANC event raised in excess of $6,000 for the
ANCA.

HOMENETMEN CELEBRATES 25 YEARS
NORTHEAST GLENDALE, July 30 (Noyan Tapan). Homenetmen Glendale Ararat
Chapter held a 25th anniversary celebration 27 July at Glandale High
School. The event included live cultural music, dancing and sporting
events. It lasted from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and by midafternoon,
organizers said more than 1,000 people had walked through the
entrance.The event was for the community but it also was a chance to
bring past and current membership together to see how the organization
has grown. “We wanted to create an environment in which the membership
would see each other and create a momentum for the 25th anniversary
gala in October,” Glendale News Press LATimes.com quoted anniversary
celebration organizer Armen Abrahamian as saying. This year, the
anniversary has already included reunions of past members and
volunteers. The chapter, the largest of its kind in the Western United
States, is celebrating 25 years of providing a place for
Armenian-American boys and girls – many from south Glendale – to get
involved in scouting and athletic activities. Homenetmen, also known
as the Armenian General Athletic Union & Scouts, is a global
organization founded in 1918. The mission for the local chapter has
remained the same since it started 25 years ago, when it started out
of small homes and rented space in Glendale. “I think we’ve done a
good job with educating kids while being able to give them enough to
do to help them not get into trouble,” Abrahamian said. Many members
are now in their 50s, and mentoring a new generation at 3347 N. San
Fernando Road. “This place is a second home for us,” said Andre
Pashai, a longtime member who is now coaching the basketball team that
Homenetmen officials said will represent Glendale this year in the
Pan-Armenian Games in Armenia. “It is a great idea,” said Narek
Shahmoradian, 13, who plays tennis and basketball. “It will stop kids
from getting into spraying graffiti on walls and getting into gangs.
It makes the community better.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CULTURAL HERITAGE ORGANIZATION OF IRAN SET TERRITORY OF CLOISTER OF
ST. THADDEUS AS HISTORICAL MONUMENT
TEHRAN, July 30 (Noyan Tapan). The cultural heritage organization of
the Islamic Republic of Iran set the territory of the cloister of
St. Thaddeus as a historical monument, as well as set the order of
protection of the territory and architectural standards. The Public
Relations Department of the Embassy of Iran in Armenia reported,
quoting IRNA News Agency, The cloister of St. Thaddeus has unique
importance for the Armenian nation of the whole world, and every year
numerous Armenians and believers of other Christian confessions go on
a pilgrimage to the cloister and hold religious ceremonies these
days. According to the report of the Information Center of the
cultural heritage organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, “each
step, which will damage the appearance aand foundation of the church,
will destroy its general and natural image, as well as the building of
temporary and permanent construction, any interference into the
historiacal image of the church, including reconstruction, widening,
repairs and renewal is prohibited without the permission of the
cultural heritage organization.” The cloister of St. Thaddeus, which
is one of the most important and famous churches of Iran, is situated
in the north-east of the Chaldran Valley, and in terms of its
construction view is like the Mother See Cathedral of Echmiadzin. The
current building of the church consists of two parts: old and new. The
sector with black stones was constructed in 1329, and the new sector
was completely constructed of white stone due to Abbas Mirza King in
1820.

FUND FOR ARMENIAN RELIEF IMPLEMENTS “HUMANITARIAN AID TO NAGORNO
KARABAKH” PROGRAM AT EXPENSE OF $15 MLN ALLOCATED BY USAID
YEREVAN, July 30 (Noyan Tapan). The Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR)
should implement the “Humanitarian Aid to Nagorno Karabakh” program of
large-scale construction and restoration at the expense of $15 mln
allocated by USAID starting in 2003 during five years. Levon
Lachikian, the Spokesman of FAR, told NT’s correspondent that FAR
offices have already been opened in Artsakh within the framework of
the program, and the entities, where construction work should be
carried out, are being selected and studied now. The program involves
water systems, the educational, health and other spheres.

HRANT SHAHINIAN’S MEMORIAL PLAQUE OPENED IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, July 30 (Noyan Tapan). The prominent Armenian athlete, many
times Olympic, world and European champion, skillful sport manager
Hrant Shahinian would have been 80 years old on July 30. Although he
died still seven years ago, he is remembered by many as a wonderful
man and specialist. The opening of the memorial plaque in the house of
Shahinian in Yerevan’s Charents street was intended to immortalize
that memory. The Chairman of the government-affiliated Sport
Committee, Armenian NOC President Ishkhan Zakarian, Sport Committee
Vice-Chairman Mikael Ispirian, Yerevan Vice-Mayor Grigor Mirzoyan,
well-known sportsman recognized as the best sportsman of Armenia in
the 20th century Albert Azarian made speeches at the event.
H. Shahinian’s widow made a speech of appreciation and gave her thanks
for the event. The author of the memorial plaque is architect Tigran
Barseghian, the sculptor is Gagik Stepanian.

“THE RECONSTRUCTION OF SHUSHI IS ONE OF THE CONDITIONS OF THE
SETTLEMENT OF THE ARTSAKH PROBLEM,” REPRESENTATIVES OF “SHUSHI” FUND
EMPHASIZE
YEREVAN, July 30 (Noyan Tapan). “The Artsakh problem will remain
unsettled if Shushi isn’t reconstructed,” Sevak Artsruni, Executive
Director of the “Shushi” Fund, Chairman of the “Yerkir” (“Country”)
Union, said during the July 29 press conference. Bakur Karapetian,
Co-Chairman of the Fund, stressed that if 5-6,000 refugees from
Stepanakert and Baku lived in Shushi in 1994, the population of the
town makes only 3 thousand people now. Greguar Galust, other
Co-Chairman of the Fund, a representative of the Armenian Catholic
Community of Lebanon, noticed that there is colossal difference
between Stepanakert and Shushi now. Sevak Artsruni noticed that the
purpose of the Fund is to reconstruct the town, and a special program
is being elaborated for it. According to the Executive Director of the
Fund, during his meeting with NKR President Arkady Ghoukassian the
latter reported that 100 mln dollars are necessary for the
reconstruction of Shushi. The budgets of Armenia and Karabakh can’t
allow such a sum. That’s why the Fund hopes for the Diaspora’s
support. After preparing the program on Shushi reconstruction, the
Fund will submit it to the Diaspora for the receiving of financial
support. Bakur Karapetian reported that last year 324 monuments were
registered in the territory of the town by the Fund established in
2001. Archeologists discovered 200 graves of the Bronze and the Middle
Ages in the territory of Shushi Plateau. According to Bakur
Karapetian, the researches showed that the history of Shushi goes back
to the 8th century B.C. The Fund registered, photographed and noted in
the maps above 500 monuments. The next stage includes the evaluation
of the state of monuments after which zonation will be carried out for
their preservation.

YOUTH DEPARTMENT OF CATHOLICOSATE OF GREAT CILICIAN HOUSE ORGANIZES
LECTURE DEDICATED TO STRUGGLE AGAINST DRUG ADDICTION
ANTELIAS, July 30 (Noyan Tapan). The Youth Department of the
Catholicosate of the Great Cilician House started the initiative
dedicated to struggle against drug addiction. The first arrangement
entitled “To Know and Prevent Drug Addiction” was recently held at the
“Hakob Ter-Melkonian” hall of Burge Hamud, it was sponsored by Bishop
Gegham Khacherian, Head of the Armenian Diocese of Lebanon, and was
presided over by Minister of Youth Affairs and Physical Training of
Lebanon Sepuh Hovnanian. Father Geghard Kyusbeghian, executive of the
Youth Department of the Catholicosate of the Great Cilician House,
stressed the importance of the increase of the self-consciousness of
the people to drug addiction and similar social acts. A documentary on
damages caused by drug addiction was shown after the speech of the
father. This film provides information about different types of drugs
and damages caused by them to the people’s organizm and their mental
world. The section of lectures followed the show of the
film. According to the press divan of the Catholicosate of the Great
Cilician House, the Youth Department of the Catholicosate will come up
again with new initiatives within the framework of struggle against
drug addiction in the near future.