Month: May 2008

GEORGIA’S ENCROACHMENT ON CHURCH "NORASHEN" SPEAKS OF THE HOSTILITY OF THE OFFICIAL TBILISI TOWARDS ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.05.2008 GMT+04:00

Since the day of the declaration of the Georgian independence the
authorities of the country have been promising the Armenian community
to pass the law on religions, however, the law is not passed yet.

The authorities of Georgia, most probably, have decided to follow
Azerbaijan’s example and have started appropriating the Armenian
architectural-cultural monuments. There is nothing new in all this:
the given nation is not capable of creating something of its own, and
is starting to appropriate someone else’s culture. At the meantime,
they believe for some unknown reasons, that the nation, whose monuments
they are trying to steal, will not mind it, and even if it does,
it will only be on public level. The case of the Armenian church
"Norashen" in Tbilisi is a rather sad one.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Norashen" is one of the most outstanding and
attractive Armenian cultural structures in Tbilisi, having a domical
basilica, whose fronts are distinguished by decorative arcade. A
middle sized delicate rotunda of the bell tower is situated over the
western facade of the roof. The interior of the church is decorated
with fresco by an Armenian famous artist Hovnatan Hovnatanyan. The
Church was founded in 1467 by Sadat.

The special group that voted for the destruction of "Norashen"
had been created in the connection of the construction of the
street in the years of 1924-1925 called "Armenian Bazaar" (now
Leselidze). Fortunately the decision was not approved of and the church
was not destroyed. In 1937 the church of "Norashen" like many other
churches on the territory of the USSR, was closed. In the following
years the building was used as archive.

Attempts of "Georgianizing"of church "Norashen" started already in
1989, and in 1994-1995 the priest of Georgian Orthodox Church Tariel
Sikinchelashvili destroyed the alter of the church. On February 8,
1995 the inscription on the walls made by Master Petros, which stated
facts about the reconstruction of the dome in 1650, were ruined. Other
Armenian inscriptions, two Khachkars and two beautiful frescos dating
back to XIX, which were the works of the representatives of the school
of the Hovnatan were also ruined. The doors with Armenian epigraphy
were replaced. St. Echmiadzin gave no response to all that was going
on. Moreover, when in 2001 the Georgian Patriarch Iliya II arrived
in Yerevan, the Catholicos of all Armenians did not even touch upon
the question about the Armenian churches in Georgia.

The same is happening now. No Synod session of the Armenian Apostolic
Church in Holy Echmiadzin regarding the Armenian church "Norashen"
in Tbilisi is going to take place. According to one of the sources,
"the Armenian Apostolic Church has taken all the possible measures
to preserve the Armenian church in Tbilisi.

We have done our best, and now it is the government that is to
decide." The Holy Echmiadzin does not answer any question, as if the
Armenian Church in Tbilisi indeed belongs to the Georgian Orthodox
Church. In the main, if things keep on going like they are now, church
"Norashen" will indeed become a Georgian temple. It is very unlikely
that the Georgian priest would dare such a sacrilege, if he did not
have permission from higher authorities and certainty in the fact
that the Armenian Church will not strongly mind it.

In the opinion of the political scientist Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan,
Georgia’s encroachment on the church "Norashen" speaks of the hostility
of the official Tbilisi towards Armenia. "These rough actions towards
the Armenian church in Tbilisi have been continuing for many years
now against the background of complete inactivity of the Armenian
Apostolic Church and careless attitude of the Armenian Church towards
the religious problems the Armenians have to face in Tbilisi and
Samtskhe-Javakheti. Losing the Armenian church "Norashen" will
definitely bring to the breakdown of the Armenian Community in Tbilisi.

And after the Armenians living in the capital the complete destruction
of Samtskhe-Javakheti will start.

We hope that Garegin II will prove to be a real Catholicos of all
Armenians and will not leave the Armenians from Tbilisi alone in
this fight; especially taking into consideration the fact that the
Catholicos of all Armenians will carry the responsibility of losing
the Armenian church "Norashen", says Melik-Shahnazaryan.

In his tern the chairman of the Armenian Collaboration Center of
Georgia Karen Elchyan announced, that the construction works in the
yard of the Armenian church "Norashen" in Tbilisi were stopped on
May 18 after the interference of the Armenian Community in Georgia.

"However, the question is still "hanging in the air".

Since the day of the declaration of the Georgian independence the
authorities of the country have been promising the Armenian community
to pass the law on religions, however, the law is not passed yet. The
religious organizations, except for the Georgian Orthodox Church,
may be registered only as non-governmental or public institutions. In
this way, practically there is only one church existing in Georgia,
and that is the Georgian Orthodox Church.

This state does not have any legal formation yet, but I believe, that
it will happen in the near future," said Elchyan. He also mentioned
that if the Georgian authorities and the Armenian Apostolic Church do
not take any measures to stop "Georgianizing" the Armenian churches,
the Armenian Collaboration Center will have to take actions considering
the created situation.

Though Karen Elchyan did not say anything about what exactly the
measures are going to be. "There are only 6 Armenian churches in
Tbilisi, 2 of which function; the church St. Gevorg and St. Virgin
Mary in Havlabar.

If we are able to save "Norashen", we will have 3 functioning
churches," he said, then added that the Armenian churches are not
returned to the legitimate owner; the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The Georgian eparchy itself does not have any legal status, which
means that even if the demands that the churches are returned, from
the legal point of view it is not possible. The case of "Norashen"
and the other historical-cultural monuments in Georgia contradicts
the friendship between Georgia and Armenia announced by the official
Tbilisi. Indeed, the disagreements between the two Christian countries
of the South Caucasus cannot be qualified as nonsense. However, one
should not forget to mention that Georgia has always been strongly
attracted to the Islamic world, which is proved by the ties that
Georgia establishes with Turkey and Azerbaijan.

LAW ON YEREVAN TO BE PRESENTED TO NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN AUTUMN

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 21, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The government will submit an amended
and ready for second reading bill on Yerevan to the National Assembly
at its autumn session, the RA minister of territorial administration
Armen Gevorgain stated in the parliament on May 21.

According to him, the government discussed the bill in detail with CE
experts who recently came to Yerevan. The experts proposed increasing
own authorities of Yerevan as an independent territorial entity. With
the aim of solving this problem, the government proposes that some part
of delegated authorities should be considered as own authorities. With
respect to Yerevan, it is proposed to transfer the fulfilment of state
functions (which is considered as competence of marzpets (regional
governors) in marzes) to state bodies located in Yerevan: ministries,
committees, etc.

The minister did not tell the date of elections of Yerevan mayor,
saying that it depends on the process of adopting the above mentioned
law. In his words, the local government bodies of Yerevan continue
functioning normally, the recent 4 community elections were properly
held, and elections in another 6-7 communities of Yerevan will be
held in the autumn.

VIDEO SHOWING BODIES OF 79 AZATAMARTIKS FOUND

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 21, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 21, NOYAN TAPAN. It turned out recently that 79 Armenian
azatamartiks – participants in a military action near the village of
Hasankaya in Artsakh on June 29, 1992, all of them have been so far
considered missing – died on the battlefield on the same day. A video
showing the bodies of these azatamartiks has recently been obtained
by efforts of members of Arabo NGO.

The commander of "Arabo" detachment, head of Arabo NGO Manvel
Yeghiazarian announced this at the May 21 press conference. According
to him, over the past 16 years, they did not cease seeking information
about these men. The video bears evidence of the fact that the
azatamartiks fought and died as heroes. "The guys who were at our rear
– 3-4 km away preferred death to escape and being taken prisoners,"
he said. 22 of the azatamartiks were from "Arabo" detachment, 29 –
from "Artsiv" (Hoctemberian) and 7 were from "Zeytun" detachment.

The chairwoman of the council of the Organization of Missing
Azatamartiks Rima Arakelian, whose son was one of the indicated
azatamartiks, stated on behalf of their relatives that the deeds
of these men must be appreciated: the rank of National Hero must be
conferred on them. According to her, they put forward their demand
to the RA minister of defence during the May 20 sitting of the
council. Besides, the relatives demand that the identities of the
killed azatamartiks be established, and their bodies be brought to
Armenia and buried in the common grave at the Yerablur Pantheon. They
also demand a meeting with the commanders of that battle in order
to get some explanation. "After 16 years, the parents must know what
happened to their sons," R. Arakelian said.

In her opinion, the place where the azatamartiks were buried is in
a neutral zone.

It was announced that more than 300 persons who are considered as
missing after military operations have been registered in Armenia.

DISCUSSIONS ON ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

AZG Armenian Daily
22/05/2008

Armenia-Turkey

With the assistance of the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) a conference under heading "Global challenges and
threats: Are joint efforts between Armenia and Turkey possible?" was
held at "Congress" hotel in Yerevan.

Eurasia Partnership Foundation together with the Analytical Center
for Globalization and Regional Cooperation organized the conference.

Armenian and Turkish experts, representatives of Embassies and several
international organizations accredited to Armenia participated in
the conference.

Head of Political Department of the US Embassy Steven Banks mentioned
that the USA with its active diplomatic efforts tries to contribute
to the establishment of relations between Armenia and Turkey, but
these efforts of NGOs may also contribute to the establishment of
diplomatic relations.

As Director of the Analytical Center for Globalization and Regional
Cooperation Stepan Grigorian mentioned the public discussions of
Armenian-Turkish relations may be more efficient as they are conducted
in more unconstrained atmosphere.

Armen Ashotian, Alexander Iskandarian from Armenia, Diba Nigar Goksel,
Cem Toker, Arda Batu from Turkey also delivered speeches. According
to them, in spite of various available issues, there are also issues
where the interests of the two countries may coincide.

HRANT MARGARIAN: COALITION IS NOT AN END IN ITSELF FOR DASHNAKTSUTYUN

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 21, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 21, NOYAN TAPAN. In the opinion of respresentative of
the ARF Dashnaktsutyun Bureau Hrant Margarian, Dashnaktsutyun failed
at the presidential election but not because of its wrong policy or
incorrect activities. According to him, there were bloody clashes
during the presidential elections in 1996 and 2008 in an atmosphere
of social polarization. "Was it an accident that the same person was
the same major player – participant in both elections," H. Margarian
asked at the 30rd general assembly of the ARF on May 21.

In his words, after ten years of silence, a person whose presidency
years people recall with hatred, came to the political field. Having
united the opposition around himself, this person, according to
H. Margarian, created a strained and polarized atmosphere instead of
starting an ideological struggle. "The election was no longer among the
candidates, it was between the former and current authorities. Those,
who feared the return of the former authorities, voted for the current
ones, while those displeased with the current authorities, voted for
the former ones," the ARF Bureau member said.

According to him, what happened in the country was an attempt to
carry out a colored revolution, which was organized by outside forces
and headed by the opposition candidate for presidency. When this
attemp failed and all means of peaceful struggle were exhausted,
the tragic March 1 events occured, from which neither the people
nor the authorities benefited. "There was only one person (NT: Levon
Ter-Petrosian) to benefit from it, and, unfortunately, he achieved it".

H. Margarian said that two poles formed in the country: on one pole
there was the opposition whose goal was not power but "getting rid of
the Karabakh problem", while on the other pole were the authorities
which "did not win through clean election", but the international
community did not object to their election. According to H. Margarian,
it was the necessity to confront both external pressure and domestic
dangers that made Dashnaktsutyun form part of the ruling coalition. At
the same time he pointed out that the coalition is not an end in
itself for the Dashnaktsutyun. "While the danger is not over, our
remaining in the coalition is understandable. However, the duration
of the coalition is conditioned by clear-cut tasks, and from time to
time we will assess the efficiency of cooperation," he said.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF CASSATION COURT DISCUSS MEASURES FOR STRENGTHENING INDEPENDENCE OF COURTS

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 21, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The complex program of measures aimed
at strengthening the independence of courts was discussed by the
RA president Serge Sargsian and the chairman of the Cassation Court
Hovhannes Manukian.

According to a press release of the RA president’s press service, it
was pointed out that the main purpose of the program is to raise the
public trust in courts, which can be achieved by consistent reduction
of corruption instances in courts and improving the efficiency of
justice. The control of civil society structures over courts will play
a great role in the creation of impartial and unbribable courts. The
state also has much to do in order to ensure real independence of
the judicial system.

Among envisaged measures, priority was given to reviewing the salaries
of judges and the formation of a system of other guarantees of their
activity.

Material dependence of judges causes considerable part of the existing
problems. It is the price that the state should not be reluctant to
pay in order to have fair courts.

In parallel with these steps, the interlocutors considered it necessary
to establish efficient mechanisms of legal control of the activity of
judges, which will allow to reveal and punish judges to have exceeded
the limits of legal and ethical norms. They underlined the importance
of establishing efficient control over the use of conduct rules for
judges and determining definite criteria of disciplinary liability.

They attached importance to envisaging greater responsibility for
interfering in court activity, including responsibility with respect
to state officials of various levels.

An agreement was reached to develop proposals on a number of
legislative and organizational measures based on the program and to
submit these proposals for discussion.

Noting that the struggle against vicious phenomena will be a
continuous one, there will difficulties, complaints, sometimes –
also a clash of interests, Serge Sargsian at the same time stressed
that the authorities will display inflexible political will in the
implementation of the indicated program. He attached special importance
to informing the public about the steps taken, adding that the public’s
support is a great guarantee of achieving success in any issue.

ARFD 30th GENERAL MEETING OPENS IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 21, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The official opening of the ARFD 30th
general meeting took place on May 21 in the RA government sitting
hall. Nearly 100 deputies from 30 countries, as well as representatives
of government and parties making a coalition took part in the general
meeting.

The RA President’s greeting speech was read during the meeting,
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian, Chairman of Bargavach Hayastan Party
Gagik Tsarukian, RPA Vice-Chairman Galust Sahakian, Chairwoman of
NA Orinats Yerkir faction Heghine Bisharian spoke. Hrant Margarian,
a representative of the ARFD Bureau, made a greeting speech at the
meeting. After the end of the official part the ARFD 30th general
meeting will continue its proceedings in Tsakhkadzor, behind closed
doors.

The general meeting is the chief meeting of Dashnaktsutiun, which is
held once every four years. As Armen Rustamian, a representative of
the ARFD Supreme Body, said, after Armenia’s independence the ARFD 28th
(in 2000) and 29th (in 2004) general meetings have been convened in the
country. The ARFD 25th general meeting that opened in 1992 in Yerevan
was hampered by the authorities and compulsorily continued in France.

ARAT DINK AWARDED GUARDIAN JOURNALISM AWARD

AZG Armenian Daily
22/05/2008

Diaspora

Editor-in-Chief of "Agos" newspaper Hrant Dink’s son Arat Dink was
honored by Index on Censorship of London Guardian.Dink was awarded
the prestigious Guardian Journalism Award, which recognizes determined
and brave journalism that often represents a different point of view
in the media, Bianet reports.

Index on Censorship Chief Executive Henderson Mullin commented: ‘The
bravery of Arat Dink, and the rest of the staff of Agos, in the face
of Draconian laws restricting their freedom of expression, provides
inspiration for journalists throughout the world. In honoring Arat,
we also commemorate the work of his late father, Hrant Dink.’

"As the editor of the Armenian paper "Agos", Dink has suffered
immensely for the "crime" of speaking out in Turkey about the Armenian
Genocide. His father Hrant, who was editor of the paper before him,
was gunned down for giving an interview about the Genocide. Arat
himself was given a one-year suspended sentence for daring to reprint
his late father’s words."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GNEL TOVMASIAN SUSPECTED OF DISTRIBUTING FLAMMABLE LIQUID TO MASS DISORDER PARTICIPANTS ARRESTED

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 21, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 21, MOYAN TAPAN. Gnel Tovmasian was arrested on May 20
under the criminal case opened in connection with the March 1 events
in Yerevan.

NT correspondent was informed by the RA prosecutor general’s office
that he is suspected of organizing and instigating the March 1 mass
disorder in Yerevan, that is, of distributing bottled flammable liquid,
in particular, gasoline to mass disorder participants. According to
the same source, the bottles filled with gasoline were used to burn
cars in the area adjacent to Yerevan municipality and to inflict
bodily injuries on police troops.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ACCORDING TO REPUBLICAN MP, EU CAN BE BEST PLATFORM FOR ARMENIAN-TURKISH DIALOGUE

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 21, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 21, NOYAN TAPAN. If the declared interests of Armenia
and Turkey can be compared, the real interests of the two countries
are incompatible. This opinion was expressed by Armen Ashotian,
an NA MP and a member of the Republican Party of Armenia, during
the discussions concerning the Armenian-Turkish relations held on
May 20. According to him, being an apologist of the Turkish unity,
Turkey cannot establish relations with Armenia under the circumstance
of the existence of the Karabakh problem and the possible endangering
of the territorial integrity of the country forces Turkey to struggle
against the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Both
of the countries have challenges threatening their statehood (in case
of Armenia that is the Karabakh conflict and for Turkey the Kurdish
issue), which as well make the establishment of bilateral relations
more difficult. The MP also mentioned that if Armenia itself is
interested in the establishment of relations with Turkey, the latter
is forced by the United States of America and the European Union.

In the words of A. Ashotian, the Armenian-Turkish relations are not the
problem of the two peoples only, otherwise it would have been settled
long before. According to him, the United States of America, which
is interested in the normalization of the Armenian-Turlish relations,
should make efforts in the direction of decreasing the tension existing
between the two countries. The MP stressed that as far as there are no
security guarantees from Turkey, the United States of America will have
to tolerate the presence of the Russian army in Armenia. By the way,
Russia, which has made big investments in Turkey, has taken no steps
in the direction of the improvement of the Armenian-Turkish relations.

Irrespective of the unfavourable conditions, both of the countries,
according to the MP, can find possible verges of cooperation in the
spheres of the provision of stability and peace, economy, environmental
protection, preservation of cultural values, development of national
values, terrorism and struggle against extremities, as well as other
spheres. In the conviction of A. Ashotian, the European Union can be
the best platform for the Armenian-Turkish relations and dialogue.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress