Month: September 2006

GRUESOME CRIME IS LATEST BLOW TO PROUD COMMUNITY
By Doug Moore

St. Louis Post-Dispatch,MO
Sept 27 2006

East St. Louis

Miles Davis grew up here.

This is where Tina Turner cut her teeth and met her then-husband,
Ike.

Katherine Dunham adopted this town as her own. Advertisement

The city’s pride and joy is Jackie Joyner-Kersee, billed as the
world’s greatest female athlete.

For all the big names that come with this small town, it’s the day-in
and day-out perception that East St. Louis is best known for: You
don’t want to be here after dark unless you’re looking for trouble.

But it’s also a town of fiercely proud people who say they love East
St. Louis, even when standing among a row of boarded-up houses and
weed-choked lots. They’re residents, usually the older set, who
remember when the town was a hub of activity. Jobs were plentiful.

Lawns were manicured. The National Municipal League in partnership
with Look magazine hailed East St. Louis as an All-America city 45
years ago.

Now, it’s a city that doesn’t make headlines unless the news is bad.

And usually it’s about murder and vote fraud.

The most recent headlines are almost too gruesome to believe. A woman
allegedly cut a fetus out of her good friend and left the friend,
Jimella Tunstall, to bleed to death. Then, police say, the suspect,
Tiffany Hall, led them to the bodies of her friend’s three children,
found stuffed in a washer and dryer. Police say they had been
drowned.

Unfortunately for a town that has hope for a turnaround, it’s far
from the first time the national spotlight has shined to reveal its
dark side.

Race riots in 1917 have left deep pocks in the city’s landscape and
given residents a wary eye on outsiders.

It was the same year that the violent death of a young boy jarred the
community and the country.

An Armenian baker complained to police that a house of prostitution
was being run next door. Soon after, his 3-year-old son, Alphonso
Magarian, went missing. Nine days later, the boy’s headless body was
found 100 yards away in a dump heap, according to "Race Riot at East
St. Louis," a book by historian Elliott Rudwick.

"Who could do such a thing?" was the outcry from the community then –
and now.

Police are not discussing a motive. Hall has been charged with
Tunstall’s murder and the death of the unborn child, but not the
three children. Other sensational crimes have bolstered the
perception that East St. Louis is a dangerous place. During the
course of several months in 2001, police found the bodies of eight
women who had been dumped there. Serial killer Maury Travis, of
Ferguson, was linked to at least three of them.

A decade earlier, a serial killer targeting children terrified the
city. Parents were afraid to let their children walk to school or
play in the yard. Lorenzo Fayne was convicted of killing six children
in and around East St. Louis from 1989 to 1993.

Eleven children died in a house fire in 1981 while their mother was
out gambling.

Heinous crimes are not the only blemishes that have put East St.

Louis on the national map. Buster Wortman, who died in 1968, ran the
Metro East operations for Chicago-based Al Capone. In the 1980s, with
the city in financial straits, trash collection was stopped. For
seven years, trash piles grew on vacant lots. Abandoned houses became
makeshift landfills. And in 1990, a judge gave City Hall to a man who
had been severely beaten in the city’s jail as a way to help satisfy
a $3.4 million judgment. Two years later, however, an appeals court
gave City Hall back to East St. Louis. A vote fraud case took down
two prominent politicos last year.

The town’s rise as a political powerhouse peaked in the 1950s, when
the population was more than 82,000. Today, countywide elections can
still be decided by East St. Louis voters, but the city’s steep
decline in population has lessened its influence. In 2000, the
population was 31,542, according to the U.S. census. Today, the
number is thought to be well below that.

Railroad jobs gave way to the construction of interstates, which were
built through the city and took down large chunks of neighborhoods.

Factories closed and moved elsewhere, and those who had the means to
move – mainly white families – moved with the jobs. It left a broken
city that has not yet been able to put itself together again.

"The headlines we see today are not all that different than they were
in the paper 50, 75 or 100 years ago," said Southern Illinois
University Edwardsville political science professor Andrew Theising,
who has written extensively on the city. "East St. Louis is exactly
what it was designed to be – a city that was designed to facilitate
profit, both legal and illegal."

He notes that the national award given to the city in 1960 was for
its turnaround of corruption, not for its model as an ideal place to
live.

"Even though some people have very pleasant memories that sound like
bedroom suburb memories, East St. Louis was never designed to deliver
that," Theising said.

Still, says Mayor Carl E. Officer, the brutal deaths of three
children and an expectant mother cannot be discounted as simply more
violence in this impoverished town.

"You don’t ever get used to it," said Officer, who also runs a
funeral home. "We really have to reflect on our faith. I don’t know
of anything else you can draw upon."

ATOM-ANTI-TERROR 2006 JOINT EXERCISES START IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 27 2006

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN. The representatives of ruling staff
of anti-terrorist subdivisions of CIS countries announced about the
start of the Atom-Anti-terror 2006 joint exercises at the September
27 meeting at the Marriott-Armenia hotel of Yerevan.

A program of organization and holding of operative-searching events
connected with disclosure and extermination of terrorist groups
penetrating into the country’s territory will be worked out during
the exercises. Employees of RA National Security Service special
subdivision will act as terrorists. A joint military operation of
surrounding and extermination of diversion-terrorist group will be
shown on September 28 at RA Defence Ministry and operation of release
of hostages and neutralization of terrorists will be shown in the
territory of Metsamor ANPP.

As Lieutenant-General Gorik Hakobian, Head of RA National Security
Service, mentioned, it is the first time that such large-scale
exercises are held in Armenia. In his words, these exercises are the
logical continuation of the South-Anti-terror, West-Anti-terror,
Azov-Anti-terror and Caspi-Anti-terror exercises held previously
within the framework of CIS.

"Holding of such large-scale exercises cannot be an end in itself and
has concrete tasks: to work out cooperation elements between special
services and their subdivisions when holding joint anti-terrorist
actions," G.Hakobian said. In his words, another peculiarity of the
current exercises is that for the first time military subdivisions
will also take part in them.

The heads of CIS countries’ anti-terrorist structures and special
services in their speeches touched upon issues of providing security
of atomic energy entities.

It is noteworthy that Secretary of Security Council under RA
President, RA Defence Minister Serge Sargsian and Chief of RA Police,
Colonel-General Hayk Haroutiunian were also present at the event.

Representatives of the Great Eight countries’, OSCE’s, UN’s, Shanghai
Organization’s anti-terrorist structures together with delegations
of CIS countries’ security bodies and special services took part in
the Atom-Anti-terror 2006 exercises as observers.

LONDON ARMENIAN PHOTOGRAPHER EDMOND TERAKOPIAN AWARDED "WORLD PRESS PHOTO" PRIZE

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 27 2006

ISTANBUL, SEPTEMBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Exhibition of
photos of 2006 winners of the "World Press Photo" international most
famous annual photo exhibition has opened in the exhibition hall of
the Prague University from September 8. The traditional Prague prize
was this year for the first time given to famous London Armenian
photographer Edmond Terakopian.

E.Terakopian photograthed on July 7, 2005 a worker with injuries got
from the explosion taken place in the London underground and with
bloody bandage. He got with this photo the 3rd prize in the "Important
News" nomination of the "World Press Photo-2006" competition. And
this photo was awarded the annual city prize in Prague.

According to the Istanbul "Marmara" daily, during those July days
of 2005, ten English and international periodicals published in the
first page that photo of Edmond Terakopian. On the occasion of the
Prague prize, Edmond Terakopian was also given possibility to present
separately his 12 works as well which were dedicated to consequences
of the terrorism act taken place in London on July 7, 2005.

The "World Press Photo" exhibitions started in Prague from 1990 and
the Prague prize was also fixed on the initiative of Mayor of those
years Jaroslav Goran. This year the prize was given by present Mayor
Pavel Bem.

It is mentioned that this is Edmond Terakopian’s 8th international
prize. He was already proclaimed this year the best photographer of
the year during the annual awarding of the British press. And he also
got a special prize of British photographers-editors in March 2006,
in the "News Photographer of the Year" nomination.

4448 professional photographers from 122 countries of the world
participated this year in the "World Press Photo" awarding, presenting
83 thousand 44 photos. 63 photographers from 25 countries also got
prizes. Finbarr O’Reilly, a Canadian correspondent of the Reuter agency
got the main prize. In a photo taken in Nigeria he pictured a face
of a mother and a hand of a child waiting for humanitarian aid food.

KOCHARIAN: TERRORISTS CANNOT BE STOPPED ONLY WITH THE HELP OF ARMS AND FORCE

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 27 2006

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN. "Coordination of actions of
special services and law enforcement bodies of different states is
a necessary precondition for efficiency of fighting international
terrorism, various forms of extremism, illegal circulation of drugs
and arms, kidnapping and illegal migration posing danger to life and
rights of citizens." RA President Robert Kocharian mentioned this in
his address to the participants of the Atom-Anti-terror 2006 joint
exercises being held in Yerevan.

"Terrorists cannot be stopped only with the help of arms and force.

Effective preventive measures of political, diplomatic,
financial-economic character are necessary to liquidate the reasons
giving birth to terrorism and to create insuperable obstacles for
development of terrorist actions," RA President’s address said.

In his words, the international community makes active and consistent
efforts for forming a coordinated system of anti-terrorist security.

The confirmation of this is participation of representatives of CIS
special services, G8 countries, as well as influential international
organizations in the Atom-Anti-terror 2006 exercises.

GHOUKASSIAN RECEIVES DELEGATION HEADED BY CAROLINE COX

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 27 2006

STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN. On September 26, Nagorno
Karabakh President Arkady Ghoukassian received the delegation headed
by Deputy Speaker of British House of Lords, Baroness Caroline Cox. A
number of British and American public figures supporting implementation
of various humanitarian programs in Artsakh were included in the
delegation this time. Noyan Tapan was informed about it from NKR
President’s Press Service.

After mutual greetings Mrs Cox congratulated NKR people and authorities
on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of proclamation of the
Republic. She mentioned that during each visit she is again filled
with optimism and is inspired with diligence of Artsakh people.

At the guests’ request Arkady Ghoukassian touched upon the origin of
the Nagorno Karabakh problem, the war thrusted upon the NKR people and
the current situation. NKR President reaffirmed the Artsakh people’s
will of living free and independently and Stepanakert’s readiness to
pecefully solve the conflict. Answering the questions of those present
the President mentioned the necessity to establish mutual confidence
between the sides as a very important precondition of settlement.

At the end of the meeting Arkady Ghoukassian expressed gratitude to
the guests for their constant attention to Artsakh and expressed the
hope that cooperation traditions will continue.

COUNCIL OF NGOs OF JAVAKHK AND TSALKA CALLS ON ARMENIANS OF JAVAKHK TO PARTICIPATE IN COMING ELECTIONS OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT BODIES

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 27 2006

AKHALKALAK, SEPTEMBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Council
of Armenian public organizations of Samtskhe Javakhk and Tsalka
calls on Armenians of the region of Samtskhe Javakhk and Tsalka to
participate in elections of local self-government bodies to take
place on October 5.

"Today more than ever, the problem of national existence faces
Armenians of the region of Samtskhe-Javakhk and Tsalka, and this
circumstance may not leave indifferent all the Armenians born on
this land. Participation in October 5 elections is the civic duty of
each of us and it becomes more weighty when the issue of possibility
of living independently and creating is put on the table of a part
of the Armenians," is mentioned in the Council’s statement made on
September 26.

"We must say general "no" on October 5 to fall and split, humiliation
and collapse, "yes" to Javakhk’s having status of self-government, the
Armenians’ prosperity and development, blossoming of our ancestors’
land, Armenian and Georgian peoples’ friendship," is said in the
statement of the Council of the Armenian public organizations of
Samtskhe Javakhk and Tsalka.

"NANE" DANCE GROUP PERFORMS IN NEW DELHI ON OCCASION OF 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF RA INDEPENDENCE

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 27 2006

NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The "Nane"
dance group representing Armenia had a performance in the Kaman concert
hall in New Delhi, on September 25, within the framework of the events
dedicated to the 15th anniversary of declaring the independence of
the Republic of Armenia. Noyan Tapan was informed about it by the RA
Foreign Minisry’s Press and Information Department.

Ashot Kocharian, the RA Ambassador to India addressed to those present
with the welcome speech at the beginning of the concert. He mentioned
that the events dedicated to the mentioned anniversary symbolize the
centuries-old friendship of the peoples representing the two ancient
civilizations, attaching special importance to the present high level
of the Armenian-Indian friendly relations.

Government officials of India, Ambassadors accredited in India,
representatives of scientific and educational institutions and
associations, students of Armenia participating in re-training courses
in India within the framework of the ITEC program were present at
the concert.

The bright perfomance of the dance group was approved by the
spectators. The Indian TV and press covered the concert process.

The "Nane" dance group will continue its performances on September
27 and 29 in Calcutta and Chandigarh, under the patronage of the RA
Embassy and the Cultural Ties Council of India.

ARMENIAN EMBASSY IN VIENNA SEEMS TO HINDER FROM HOLDING DAYS OF ARMENIAN CULTURE IN COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL EUROPE

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 27 2006

VIENNA, SEPTEMBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The "Days of
Armenian Culture" event dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the
Republic of Armenia, which were envisaged on the initiative of the
Armenian Organizations in Europe Representation, is close to failure
in a number of countries of Central Europe. There is no information
about reasons of failure of this great cultural initiative yet, but
according to information of Noyan Tapan, the Minister of Culture of
Slovakia, for example, disproved his preliminary agreement to sponsor
those events, reasoning that he made that decision as a result of a
discussion with the Armenian Embassy in Vienna. It was not managed
yet to find out why the RA Embassy in Vienna hinders from holding
the Days of Armenian Culture in those countries, but it is clear that
absence of patronage of the Culture Ministry of Slovakia means absence
of wide-spread propaganda of the Armenian culture envisaged in that
country. And resources of intiator of the Days of Armenian Culture
Ashot Grigorian as well of the Armenian community of Slovakia may be
too scanty for holding a similar voluminous propaganda. As a result,
the Armenian culture festival will be held in that country on a very
small scale, in the best case.

MEETING WITH NKR PRESIDENT

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Sept 27 2006

On September 25 NKR President Arkady Ghukassian met with the head of
the regional department of the Ramkavar Party (the Democratic and
Liberal Party of Armenia) of the West Coast and Canada Ara Abrahamian
and the press secretary of the republic department of the Ramkavar
Party of Armenia Karen Kakoian. During the meeting the participants
discussed the problem of carrying out educational, cultural and civil
projects in Artsakh under the auspices of the political party.

Acting Press Secretary Of NKR President

POLICLINIC OPENED IN STEPANAKERT

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Sept 27 2006

On September 23 the ceremony of opening of the new building of the
policlinic of Stepanakert took place, which had started operating
two months ago. In the ceremony President Arkady Ghukassian, Speaker
Ashot Ghulian, Prime Minister Anoushavan Danielian, the primate of
the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop
Parghev Martirossian, members of the government, members of the
board of trustees of Armenia Foundation, the director of the health
project in NKR Alineh Durian, workers of the health sector, guests were
present. This building built on the donations of our Diasporan friends
is part of the health complex, which will be built in Artsakh. The
new building of the hospital is planned. Congratulating the guests
of the ceremony, the minister of health Zoya Lazarian said the dream
of the people of Artsakh at last came true. In the post-war years,
this is the first important event for the health sector. Over the
past few years different medical establishments were repaired and
reconstructed, as well as built both in the capital and the regions
of the republic, but the policlinic with the diagnostic center is
really unprecedented. Zoya Lazarian thanked the NKR president for
the special attention to the construction of the policlinic and
assistance. She thanked the benefactors George Baghumian and Hrair
Hovnanian, the New York branch of Armenia Foundation, the director of
the health project Alineh Durian, and everyone who had contributed to
the construction of the policlinic. The East Coast director of Armenia
Foundation, member of the board of trustees Gevorg Toroian expressed
his happiness to see Artsakh being reconstructed and said hopefully
the project will be carried on, and new victories will be celebrated
in these marvelous highlands. Unfortunately, the president of the
charity fund of the Baghumian family George Baghumian could not come
to the ceremony. The policlinic was named after Armineh Baghumian,
the aunt of George Baghumian, who fell to the Armenian genocide in
1915. The NKR minister of health Zoya Lazarian read the congratulation
letter of the great benefactor where he emphasized the love of his
family for the people of Karabakh. I believe that these hospitable,
heroic people create their present and future successfully, ran the
letter. The executive director of the policlinic of Stepanakert Karineh
Andrian thanked the government and the benefactors for the wonderful
present. In his speech, NKR President Arkady Ghukassian touched
upon the reason for delay of construction and emphasized that it is
unacceptable independent from any reason, especially for the health
sector. Therefore, he said, control by the government and benefactors
over the construction of such buildings should be enhanced. Arkady
Ghukassian also mentioned that the project of the hospital is definite,
the names of the benefactors are known, and unlike the policlinic
the construction of the hospital will be finished in time. Once again
emphasizing the role of the Diaspora in the development of Artsakh,
President Ghukassian added, "Everyone understands that the fate of the
Armenian people is decided in Karabakh. They understand what Artsakh
means in the life of Armenians and what it means to solve a problem
for the sake of Artsakh and the people of Artsakh. Therefore, we need
good infrastructures, supply everything, for this is the only way to
keep the people of Artsakh here. I believe that we will be opening
a number of other such buildings. It is highly important for us that
the benefactors funding different projects in Armenia know that their
money is not dissipated." Alineh Durian told news reporters that
the project will continue. The premises are not enough. High-level
medical services are primary, therefore the doctors and nurses will
regularly attend training.