Month: June 2005

PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN NKR VERY FREE: YANA GRADILKOVA
STEPANAKERT, June 20. /ARKA/. The parliamentary elections were very
free in Nagorno Karabakh , no tension was felt, the Czech observer
Yana Gradilkova, Berkat NGO, told ARKA. Ashe said that it was
important for her to know whether people are free in Nagorno Karabakh,
whether they have the opportunity to exercise their right to free
choice, she said. According to Gradilkova, the Nagorno-Karabakh people
believe elections to be important. According to her, she has realized
that the Nagorno-Karabakh people are not afraid of asking questions
and answering them.
The Greek observer Kostis Papaioannu said that fundamental freedoms,
particularly the freedom of speech, are observed in Nagorno
Karabakh. However, they must be developed, as democracy is an everyday
process. He refrained from making a general assessment of the
elections, stating that he did not notice any serious
violations. Papaioannu pointed out citizens’ sincere interests in
elections and their desire to defend their right to free will.
In June 19 parliamentary elections in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
(NKR) high turn-out was recorded. By 8:00 p.m., when polling stations
were closed, 73.6% voters had cast their votes. P.T. -0–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BRITISH OBSERVER MISSION DOES NOT RECORD SERIOUS VIOLATIONS IN
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN NKR
STEPANAKERT, June 20. /ARKA/. The British observer mission has not
recorded any serious violations in the parliamentary elections in
Nagorno Karabakh, Mark Almond, British Helsinki Human Rights Group,
told reporters. He pointed out individual technical problems during
vote-count. This procedure may be organized in conformity with the
OSCE requirements in Nagorno Karabakh, but the mechanism is not quite
effective, he said.
Almond stressed that elections in Nagorno Karabakh have been much more
democratic than in many recognized countries. During last 14 years the
British observer mission has monitored 100 elections, and this fact
can be stated with calm conscience, he said. The opposition says that
the administrative resource was used, but these are the fault of
democracy characteristic of all countries, Almond said. P.T. -0–

HOME FOR FAMILIES OF KILLED SOLDIERS
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
17 June 05
The city of Stepanakert has never been this beautiful, even in the
best years of Soviet totalitarianism. And only a decade has passed
after the times of bombing and air raids of Azeris when one would come
across ruins at every step in the city. Today no traces of these times
have been left. What is more, all the new buildings in the city are
distinguished by high quality and design. Among these are the elite
blocks of flats No 16 and 18 on Azatamartikneri Street, operated
recently and put out for sale. At the NKR Ministry of Territorial
Management and Development of Infrastructures we were informed that
all the 28 apartments and 20 plots of land had been sold out. The
total sum from the sale of flats is 442 million 247 thousand drams
which was returned to the NKR State Budget from which the construction
had been funded. (This year the sum provided from the state budget for
construction is 3900 million drams against 2385 million in 2004.
Besides the mentioned sum, in the current year, another 877 million
drams has been provided for construction in the framework of the
programme of re-settlement and about 250 million for the same aim was
provided to the Ministry of Social Security.) By the instruction of
the NKR president the sum from the sale of these flats and plots is
spent on the construction of another block of 45 flats in Tumanian
Street which is already being built. All the flats will be provided
free of charge to families of killed azatamartiks.
AA.
17-06-2005

PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN NKR MEET INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS: OBSERVERS
FROM USA
STEPANAKERT, JUNE 20. ARMINFO. June 19 elections to the parliament of
the 4th convocation in NKR were transparent and free.
According to ARMINFO’s special correspondent from Stepanakert,
Representative of the “Group of Public Right and Policy of the USA”
Paul Williams made this statement on behalf of the group today. He
says the amendments to the Election Code of NKR allowed political
parties to participate in the elections. The elections met
international standards, the American observer thinks. He says the
reform of the Election Code has led to development of democracy and
the country has made a considerable step towards democracy. Factually,
electors had a right to get first hand view of the pre-election
programs of the candidatures. Participation of the army in the
elections was restricted. All the 6 participants of the US Observation
Mission met with all the political parties running for the parliament,
journalists, representatives of all the power branches, visited all
the electoral districts and did not fix any extraordinary situations,
Pail Williams says.
At the same time, he thinks there were some problems of technical
nature, International recognition of Nagorny Karabakh requires further
development of democracy and improvement of the country’s
administrative structure, which functions rather effectively at
present, he thinks.
It should be noted that 73.6% of electors from 89,925 potential or
66,197 citizens participated in June 19 elections. The largest
attendance was 95%, the smallest 55%, the special correspondent of
ARMINFO reports.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

STATE DUMA DEPUTY GIVE HIGH ASSESSMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN NKR
STEPANAKERT, JUNE 20. ARMINFO. Deputy of Russian Sate Duma, Director
of CIS Institute Konstantine Zatoulin, who observed the parliamentary
elections in NKR, gives a high assessment to them.
According to ARMINFO’s special correspondent to Stepanakert, at a
press conference K.Zatoulin says that yesterday the people voted for
various political forces, hereby solving their tasks and the issues
connected with state development, which is of great importance. He
says there are states in the world which are called unrecognized, and
the recognized states feel a temptation to not only deprive them of
statehood, but also to refuse their rights to self- determination. In
the current situation, when Nagoprny Karabakh is an unrecognized
state, it could easily slip to authoritarianism arising doubts of the
international community in the Karabakh people’s right to vote. The
elections held on June 19 showed that the standards they were
organized on were higher than in the neighboring state which does not
recognize it “in spite of all my respect for the Aliyevs Senior and
Junior,” Zatoulin says. In this connection he asked: “How one can make
the people of Nagorny Karabakh to enter into or withdraw from anything
in such situation?”
The Russian MP thinks the elections not only a way to solution of
NKR’s problems, but also confirmation of the country’s adherence to
democracy and right to independence to the world. He emphasized the
high activity of voters and calmness of the elections. Zatoulin
personally visited 6 electoral districts and observed no violations.
He emphasized the electoral registers on the walls of polling
stations, which is not done even in Russia. He called this elections a
step forward as compared to the previous ones. Zatoulin announced his
intention to raise the issue of revision of the funds “for support of
democracy outside Russia” at the State Duma, hereby NKR can take
advantage of it. As regards the influence of the elections on the
process and final result on the settlement of Karabakh conflict,
Zatoulin answered positively. He says he sees no possibility of
participation of the Azerbaijani community in the parliamentary
elections in NKR. Having lost the war, the Azerbaijani authorities
continue it in a virtual regime, Zatoulin says.

ACCORDING TO UNOFFICIAL DATA, KARABAKH WING OF ARF DASHNAKTSUTYUN
PARTY LOST THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN NKR ON JUNE 19
STEPANAKERT, JUNE 20. ARMINFO. According to unofficial data, Karabakh
wing of ARF Dashnaktsutyun party lost the parliamentary elections in
NKR on June 19.
Referring to unofficial sources close to the electoral structures, the
special correspondent of ARMINFO reports that Democratic Party of
Artsakh headed by Prime Minister Ashot Ghulyan is in the lead,
receiving 18 seats in the parliament. The party Free Motherland
receives 8 seats, independent MPs – 4 seats and ARFD – Movement 88 – 3
seats, which is less than in the parliament of the previous
convocation. It is notable that Dashnaks received no single-mandate
seats, though these are unofficial data. Official ones are expected
later.
Representative of the British Helsinki Group for Human Rights Mark
Albond says democratic bases in NKR are developing and in this aspect
NKR could be an example for many unrecognized states.
It should be noted that 73.6% of electors from 89,925 potential or
66,197 citizens participated in June 19 elections. The largest
attendance was 95%, the smallest 55%, the special correspondent of
ARMINFO reports.

78% OF ELECTORS ATTENDED PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN NKR: PRELIMINARY DATA
YEREVAN, JUNE 20. ARMINFO. According to preliminary operative data
received from electoral districts, 66,774 people participated in the
parliamentary elections in NKR, which is 78% of the total number of
electors. According to ARMINFO’s correspondent, Chairman of the NKR
CEC Sergey Nasibyan stated at a press conference today.
On the proportional system, 6 parties and 1 bloc participated in the
elections. In conformity with the NKR EC, the parties receiving 10%
votes of electors and the bloca receiving 15% votes enter the
parliament. This bar was overcome by two parties and one bloc. In
particular, Democratic Party of Artsakh received 22,393 votes or 5
seats, the party Free Motherland – 15.931 votes or 3 places and ARFD-
Movement 88 14,534 votes or 3 places. On the majority system
Democratic Party of Artsakh and Free Motherland received by 7 seats
and another 8 were received by independent MPs.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, Ca 91504
Tel: 818-558-7474
Fax: 818-558-6333
Web:
His Holiness Karekin ii
catholicos of all armenians
In the western DIOCESE
his holiness CONDUCTS
groundbreaking ceremony
at armenian church of scottsdale, arizona
June 16, 2004
On June 16, 2005 His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate, and members of his entourage, arrived at the airport in
Arizona, where they were greeted by members of the Parish Council and
Ladies’ Society, and led to the Armenian Apostolic Church of
Scottsdale, Arizona.
At 7:00 p.m. in a procession of youth and the choir, His Holiness
entered the Church. Following the service the Primate introduced to
the faithful and the guests in attendance the 132nd Catholicos of the
Armenian Apostolic Church, who in his second Pontifical visit to the
Western Diocese has created a Renaissance of Faith throughout the
Diocese. He then invited the Catholicos to address the faithful.
His Holiness praised the Lord for the second opportunity to pay a
Pontifical visit to the Armenian Church of Arizona, and to witness
the happy smiles of the faithful. The Catholicos extended to the
faithful the blessings of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the
love and greetings of or people in Armenia.
The following guests were in attendance: Kevin Osterman, Scottsdale
City Councilman; Rabbi Robert Kravitz, American Jewish Committee,
Scottsdale; Dr. Stephen Batalden; Instructor Siranush Khandanyan, and
8 ASU students taking Armenian language; Rev Dr. Thomas Stiers, Church
of the Beatitudes, Phoenix; Rev. Andrew J. Barakos, Assumption Greek
Orthodox Church, Scottsdale; Rev. Fr. Philip Armstrong, St. Katherine
Greek Orthodox Church, Chandler; Very Rev. Arch Abbott Gabriel, St.
Peter & Paul Orthodox Church in America, Phoenix; Rev. Fr. Alan
Munteanu, St. John the Baptist Romanian Orthodox Church, Glendale,
AZ; Rev. Fr. Janko Terbovic, St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church,
Phoenix; Rt. Rev. Stephen Washko, Vicar General for Eparchy of Van
Nuys, CA; St. Stephen’s Byzantine Catholic Church, Phoenix; Honorable
Sam Mardian, former Phoenix Mayor for 3 terms.
The first gathering of Armenians in Arizona took place in 1957. On
October 16, 1963 the Armenian Church of Maricopa County was formally
established by a `Bishop’s Committee’ assigned by His Eminence
Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, then Primate. The church acquired its
own site in 1982 through the donation of a two-acre land by the
Hosepian family, particularly tanks to Miss Marguerite Hosepian.
In 1991 ground was broken for a 14,000 square foot, $850,000
cultural center. Construction was completed the following year and
the dedication of the Armenian Church Cultural Center and Melikian
Hall took place on January 12, 1992.
The Armenian Educational and Social Center was opened on February
12, 2000 housing the Nikit and Eleanora Ordjanian Library, the
Karam/ACYO Center, and the Der Levon A.K. and Yeretsgin Grace
Arakelian Memorial Collection.
The visiting pastor of the parish is Archpriest Fr. Shahe Altounian.

GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY
With the singing of hymns and the participation of a great crowd the
Catholicos was led out of the church to the site of the future church,
where he consecrated a Stone Cross and performed the Ground breaking
ceremony.
In his address Catholicos Karekin II emphasized the importance of
having a House of Worship, in order to provide the community with
spiritual nourishment, particularly to plant within our young
generation the messages of the Gospel. His Holiness stated that this
church, like the other churches of the Diocese, will be a golden
bridge with the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. He commended the
benefactors, the Building Committee, Parish Council, auxiliary bodies
and the entire faithful and expressed his hopefulness that with the
help of God and the leadership of the Primate the beautiful church
bearing the Armenian style will soar into heaven.
A reception took place at the end of the ceremony during which
faithful and guests in attendance had the opportunity to personally
meet the Pontiff of All Armenians.
Office of the Western Diocese June 17, 2005
Burbank, California

PRESIDENT GHUKASSIAN’S MESSAGE ON THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
20 June 05
Dear fellow countrymen, On June 19th the election to the National
Assembly of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic will take place. I believe that
the worthy candidates will be elected members of parliament. Today the
election campaign ends, which passed positively and proved to be
another progressive step on the way of democratization of the state
and the society. The vast majority of the candidates of political
parties and independent candidates conducted the election campaign in
accordance with the existing legislature. At the same time, I have to
confess that certain candidates, forgetting about the rules of ethics,
have set but one aim before themselves ` to use all methods, including
unacceptable ones, to discredit the authorities and their opponents,
not considering it necessary to present their legislative programmes
to the voters. Whereas, the election to the supreme legislative body
of the country is concerned. It is particularly disturbing that on the
pre-election days they resort to insult and slander. In particular,
false rumours are circulating that the authorities put pressure on the
voters, scare people, forbid the voters to meet with the candidates of
this or that political organization. With all responsibility I assure
that no such things have and could have taken place. It is another
thing that certain candidates who realized during meetings with voters
that their victory in the election is doubtful, try to find
justification by discrediting the authorities. Throughout the election
campaign 6 complaint letters addressed to the president were received,
three from the Democratic Party of Artsakh and one from the alliance
ARF ` Movement 88, the political parties Azat Hayrenik and Social
Justice each. I instructed to take measures for all the complaints if
these corresponded to the reality. During the election campaign we
came across speeches which could result in division of our society and
irreversible damage to the interests of Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic. However, being the president of the country and the
guarantor of observance of the laws, I considered it unacceptable to
interfere with the election campaign, regarding these unacceptable
phenomena as negative manifestations in the process of development of
democracy in our society. Freedom of speech is above all. And all the
incompetent words, all the cheap word stock sounded by certain
candidates and political party functionaries during the election
campaign will be on their conscience. Our people have long been able
to distinguish empty words, populism and abstract nihilism from
constructive criticism. Of course, every point of view has the right
to exist. However, only people may decide which one of these is
acceptable for the society and the state. This decision will be made
on June 19th through fair and transparent polls. As the president of
the country I guarantee this. I assure that any violations, as well as
any attempt of destabilizing the situation after the election whoever
it is made by will get a corresponding response. Those who will
undertake and carry out such a thing will be punished by law. Besides,
authoritative international observers will monitor polls. Dear fellow
countrymen, The upcoming election is of great international importance
for Nagorno Karabakh. We must show to the world with our attitude
toward elections that the democratic development in the country is
irreversible, and promote the international recognition of NKR. If the
upcoming polls do not correspond to the European standards, the
rating, the international authority of our state will suffer greatly,
which, in its turn, may have a negative impact on the peace talks for
the resolution of the conflict with Azerbaijan. In other words, the
fate of Artsakh, the fate of our achievements is at stake. I call you
to take part in the polls actively and give your vote to those
candidates and political forces which you consider to be worthy. I
also call all the candidates to parliament, all the political forces,
all the people involved in the election to show civic and political
matur ity, feel responsible for the future of the country and leave
the people to make the deciding vote. Certainly, some people will be
happy with the results of the polls, others will be disappointed. And
this is natural. However, the upcoming election is not the
end. Therefore, I call all the political forces and candidates to
parliament to respect the choice of the people and continue building
our state together to achieve international recognition and
welfare. Good luck and all the best to you, dear fellow countrymen.
AA.
20-06-2005

HARVEST STARTED IN HADRUT
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
17 June 05
Harvest of arable crops has started in the region of Hadrut. In the
region, 8394 ha of arable crops were planted, of which 773 ha is
barley. Of the 52 combines 45 are ready for harvesting, and the
majority of combines is working in barley fields. The department for
agriculture, amelioration and use of land of the administration of
Hadrut told us that so far over 300 ha of barley was harvested, the
crop yield is about 600 tonnes, and the average crop yield per hectare
is 1.8 ` 2.1 tonnes. According to the head of the department
L. Abrahamian, the gross yield of arable crops this year is estimated
to exceed the previous year. The average crop yield per hectare will
reach 1.8 ` 2 tonnes, and 150 thousand tonnes of grain is expected.
`In fact, we had expected even a higher yield but the rains in May had
a negative impact on the crops,’ mentioned L. Abrahamian. Harvesting
is controlled to solve the problems that occur in time. Measures are
taken to organize 24 hour watch to prevent fires.
E. DAVTIAN.
17-06-2005