ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
11/23/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Meeting with President Arkady Ghoukasian 2) Public Official and Former "Azadamard" Editor Mousegh Mikaelian Passes Away 3) Azeri Officer Admits Killing Armenian With Ax 4) Armenia Criticizes Atkinson Report on Karabagh 1) Meeting with President Arkady Ghoukasian Among the many issues discussed between an Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) delegation and Mountainous Karabagh Republic President Arkady Ghoukasian on Monday, were the upcoming Armenia Fund telethon, national dues for Karabagh's advancement, as well as steps to resettle the population of Karabagh. Joining President Ghoukasian were the Representative of MKR in the United States Vardan Barseghian, and Karabagh Archbishop Barkev Mardirossian. A lengthy political discussion included means to counter Azerbaijan's latest anti-Armenian policy, and the Karabagh peace process. The ARF Western Region delegation was composed of co-chair Avedik Ismirlian and Hovig Saliba, along with Vahe Bozoian, Hrair Der Krikorian, and Anahid Stepanian. 2) Public Official and Former "Azadamard" Editor Mousegh Mikaelian Passes Away YEREVAN (ARF Bureau Press Office)--The distinguished career of Mousegh Mikaelian came to an end on Monday, November 23, when the accomplished official passed away in the capital city of Yerevan. Born in the Talin region of Zovasar in 1948, Mikaelian graduated from the "Sasnashen" school and shortly after gained entry into Yerevan State University's Philology Department. Having served as a staff member of several publications, including "Karoun," "Avantgard," and "Sovetagan Hayastan," Mikaelian moved on to establish the weeklies "Ourpat," and "Azadamard," and the monthlies "Varoujan," "Midk," "Zankag," and "Asbarez." During his prolific career, Mikaelian also authored four books. He joined the Armenian Revolutionary federation in 1989, and served as the editor-in-chief of the party's official publications "Azadamard" (1991-94), and "Yerkir" (1998-99). In 1999, he was elected to Armenia's parliament and served as a member until 2003, when he was appointed as the country's Deputy Minister of Education and Sciences. 3) Azeri Officer Admits Killing Armenian With Ax (Reuters)--An Azeri officer who killed his fellow Armenian officer Gurgen Margarian with an ax at a Budapest military academy pleaded guilty in court on Tuesday, saying he took revenge for Armenian attacks on Azeris, Hungarian news agency MTI reported. "It was not my plan to be so cruel, savage," 27-year-old Ramil Safarov told the court. When asked why he almost severed the head of the victim, he said, "because they did the same to 8,000 people of ours." In February, Safarov entered the Armenian's room, stabbed him several times with a knife, and struck him repeatedly with an axe, almost severing his head. Both were participating in a NATO Partnership for Peace English language course. Safarov was charged with committing premeditated murder with extreme cruelty, and faces possible life imprisonment if found guilty, a Budapest Capital Court press official told Reuters. 4) Armenia Criticizes Atkinson Report on Karabagh YEREVAN (Armenpress)--National Assembly Vice-speaker Tigran Torosian criticized Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) rapporteur on Mountainous Karabagh David Atkinson, for failing to consult with the OSCE Minsk Group, tasked to find a resolution to the conflict, and establish ongoing contacts with Armenian and Azeri delegations before presenting his report during PACE's November 17 session in Paris. According to Torosian, who heads Armenia's delegation to PACE, Atkinson's recent report on Mountainous Karabagh had not changed greatly from its September 14 report. He also said that while the draft resolution is improved, it does not contain all proposals put forth by the Armenian delegation. Concerned that Azerbaijan is increasingly being perceived in Europe as the victim of the conflict, he said Armenian authorities must revise their practical approach in order to counter Azerbaijan's aggressive policy in international organizations--especially in light of Turkey's increased backstage efforts to find a resolution. The PACE report does call on both Armenian and Azeri officials to meet in Strasbourg to decide on Karabagh's future status. It also calls on the conflicting sides to withdraw their troops and refrain from military activates. Torosian stressed the necessity for Armenia to intensify efforts in the international arena, and refrain from a policy of mutual accusations and "behind-the-scene" talks in parliament. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.