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American Congressman Highly Estimates Adherence Of Artsakh Principles Of Democracy

NEW YORK, November 17 (Noyan Tapan). The meetings of NKR President
Arkady Ghoukassian with the influential representatives of the
Armenian Diaspora of the US are continuing. The meetings are dated
for the telethon on fundraising in support to Nagorno Karabakh.

According to observers, it is expected that this telethon, as against
the previous telethons, will become record on donations for Artsakh
made by the citizens of Armenian origin living in the US. According
to the press release of the Head Information Department attached to
the NKR President, the results of Arkady Ghoukassian’s talks with
representatives of the various circles of the Armenian Diaspora are
also the evidence of this fact.

So, during the November 15 meeting of the NKR President with
famous philanthropist Luis Simon Manukian, the latter expressed
willingness to contribute (the same way as in the previous years)
to the socio-economic development of Artsakh and, first of all, to
the construction of the North-South highway being of great strategic
importance to Nagorno Karabakh. It is notable that Mrs. Manukian is
also the sponsor of the construction of a school in the NKR capital
Stepanakert.

The same day, the NKR President visited the Head Office of the
Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA), where he talked to
Endrew Torigian, the head of this organization. The President thanked
AMAA for the implementation of a number of humanitarian programs in
Artsakh, in particular, for rendering material support to orphans
and the maintainance of a nunber of pre-school establishments. He
called on members of the missionary organization to take an active
part in the telethon. E. Torigian spoke out for the further widening
of cooperation between AMAA and Nagorno Karabakh.

A reception and dinner in honor of NKR President Arkady Ghoukassian
were organized upon the initiative of the Armenian General Benevolent
Union and the “Hayastan” (“Armenia”) Pan-Armenian Fund in New York the
day before. Perch Sedrakian, the President of the AGBU, who spoke at
the reception stressed the necessity of more active participation of
the Armenian Diaspora in the development of Artsakh. In this connection
the NKR President drew the participants’ attention to the fact that
Artsakh needs the assistance of the Diaspora in the issues of the
implementation of programs on the construction of highways, as well
as hospitals, schools, other entities of social importance. Readiness
of participants to take an active part in the upcoming telethon was
expressed at the meeting held with the participation of Resident
Representative of Armenia to the UN Armen Martirosian.

Arkady Ghoukassian’s meeting with Frank Pallown, the Co-Chairman of
the Group on Armenian Issues of the US Congress, was held the same
day. Issues regarding the ways of the settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh problem were touched upon during the conversation. The
American congressmen, in particular, gave high assessment to the NKR’s
adherence to the principles of democracy, expressing satisfaction
with the successes of the republic in the socio-economic and cultural
development. At the same time, he expressed serious concern on the
occasion of the bistructural position of Azerbaijan on the settlement
of the Karabakh problem, especially in connection with the military
statements made in this country quite often. Pallown confirmed his
readiness to support the right of the NKR people to freedom and
independence.

Arkady Ghoukassian expressed gratitude to the American congressman
for support to Artsakh. He also thanked the American people for
humanitarian aid rendered to the NKR population that suffered from
the military aggression od Azerbaijan.

The NKR President’s visit to the United States continues.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKISH DENIALISM OF ARMENIANS CONTINUES EVEN WITH EXHIBITION ORGANIZED IN
BRUSSELS

BRUSSELS, November 18 (Noyan Tapan). The Palace of Fine Arts of
Brussels (Belgium) hosts the exhibition on Turkey entitled “Mothers,
Goddesses and Sultans”, which will last from October 06 2004 to
January 16 2005. According to the Assembly of Armenians of Europe, the
exhibition accounts pieces from the collection of the Topkapi Palace
(Turkey), Louvre, Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, the museums of
Berlin and the most important museums in Turkey. This exhibition is
organized with the mutual agreement of the prime ministers of Belgium
and Turkey in order to introduce the Belgian and European society
with the cultural values and the history of Turkey and intends to
emphasize the European vocation of Turkey.

The leaflet on the exhibition distributed to the visitors at the
entrance of the Palace of Fine Arts says: “We encounter the peoples,
who have left their traces in Anatolia in the course of 9000 years. The
journey takes us through such renowned cultures as the Hitties, Greek
and Roman antiquity, Byzantium and the Ottomans.” From the first
sight one may find the absence of the Armenians and Armenian culture
in Anatolia very strange, since for centuries the Eastern Anatolia
was the cradle of Armenians and it is also called the Armenian
Plateau[i]. Even during the Ottoman Empire Armenians represented a
sizeable and dynamic part of the ottoman population, particularly in
Istanbul and other urban centre, and their omission in this exhibition
is quite deliberate on the part of the Turkish organizers. But the
most interesting piece of the exhibition is the map of the Ottoman
Empire from 1299 to 1923, without any mention of the Armenians or
Armenian Republic (the first Armenian Republic, 1918 – 1920) and
Greece (independence of Greece recognized by the Ottoman Empire in
1832). No expert or historian would dare to make a single map to
represent such a complex region over for such a long period of time
(1299 – 1923), since the movement of borders has been radical over
the period considered, and at times extremely rapid.

It is very strange to see the name of “Azerbaijan” on the map, while
the names of Armenia and Greece are absent. As reported by Radio
Free Europe, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry spokesman called for
Azerbaijan’s (the closest ally of the Republic of Turkey) takeover
of the entire territory of Armenia and removal of the entire Armenian
population from the Caucasus. He went so far as to say, and we quote,
“Within the next 25 years there will exist no state of Armenia in
the South Caucasus.” This inevitably reminds of the intentions of the
perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide. In this context the negationism
of the Armenians is not a simple mistake or lack of professionalism
by the organizers of the exhibition, but has its roots go back into
the beginning of the 20th century – the Armenian Genocide committed by
the Ottoman Empire in 1915. The Armenian Genocide is still denied by
the Republic of Turkey, which also imposes a blockade on the Republic
of Armenia for more than 10 years. Therefore, the radical exclusion
of Armenians from ottoman history is consistent with the genocide
carried out in 1915-1916 and it has been the practice in Turkey since
the establishment of the republic in 1923. The negationism and the
denial of the Armenian Genocide are also reflected in the premeditated
annihilation of Armenian cultural heritage in the territory of the
actual Republic of Turkey.

The Assembly of Armenians of Europe considers such negationist and
revisionist attitude of the Republic of Turkey, aspiring to the EU full
membership unacceptable. We believe that such behaviour destabilizes
the whole region of South Caucasus and impedes the normalization of
Armeno-Turkish relations. Moreover, the extension of this denialist
approach to an exhibition carried out in Belgium, in partnership with
Belgian institutions, is a worrying sign at a moment when Turkey is
pressing to join the European community of values. The Assembly of
Armenians of Europe is sure that this is an attempt of the Turkish
authorities to force their own denialist approach on an unsuspecting
European public.

ACTIVITIES OF TOTALITARIAN SECTS CONTRADICT NATIONAL AND STATE INTERESTS OF
ARMENIAN PEOPLE

ETCHMIADZIN, November 18 (Noyan Tapan). The meeting of the Supreme
Spiritual Council, which was held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
under the chairmanship of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II,
touched upon the activities of the sectarian organizations and the
problems of the recent official registration of the “Jehovah’s
Witnesses” sect in Armenia. After getting acquaintance with the
conducted researches and after exchanging views, the Supreme Spiritual
Council decided to make a statement:

“The Armenian Apostolic Church recognizes the right to the liberty
of conscience as a basic value of Christianity. At the same time,
it considers the fact that the religious organizations registered
in Armenia, whose activities are directed at the hunt for soles,
by all possible means violate this right to liberty of conscience as
inadmissible,” the statement reads.

The Armenian Church expresses its anxiety in connection with the fact
that the religious organizations are registered by the corresponding
state bodies as a result of not adequate explorations and not too
zealous attitude towards the law. “The activities of the totalitarian
sects, including the “Jehovah’s Witnesses”, contradict the national and
state interests and the aspirations of our people, saving teaching of
Christianity and seriously contradicts the international lawfulness,
the RA Constitution, those principles of the RA law “On Liberty of
Conscience and Religious Organizations” that consolidate the issues
of state security, public customs, morality, people’s health, the
protection of others’ rights, etc.,” the Supreme Spiritual Council
announces.

The Supreme Spiritual Council emphasizes that the “Jehovah’s Witnesses”
sect is registered as a “Christian” sect, whereas it connects with
the Christianity by no means and isn’t recognized by the traditional
Christian Church, the World Council of Churches, the Union of European
Churches, as well as other organizations. “It is interesting that the
“Jehovah’s Witnesses” organization under cover of Christianity comes
up only in the midst of the Christians and in the Christian countries
and never in the Moslem ones,” the document reads.

Such situation, according to the Supreme Spiritual Council, can’t
contribute to the health of public consciousness, implicit obedience to
spiritual moral values in the country, especially when the Motherland
and the people face the various economic and social difficulties and
are in the process of reforms now.”

“The Armenian Holy Apostolic Church devoted to its mission and
realizing its duty before its sons is in the mood to defend its flock
from any infringements of their integrity and security. The Supreme
Spiritual Council expects that the corresponding state bodies will
start the reconsideration and settlement of these problems. It is
necessary that the RA law “On Liberty of Conscience and Religious
Organizations” should be re-examined to contribute to the regulation of
the activities of the religious organizations and serve the protection
of liberty of conscience, regardless of anarchy and uncontrol,”
the Supreme Spiritual Council states.

The Supreme Council calls on the people to remain loyal to the heritage
of our ancestors – our Holy Apostolic faith.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TROUPE OF SUNDUKIAN THEATER COMES BACK FROM U.S. WITH NINE VALUABLE DIPLOMAS
OF GRATITUDE

YEREVAN, November 19 (Noyan Tapan). From October 23 to November 7,
the National Academic Theater after Sundukian was on a jubilee tour in
the US in connection with the 80th anniversary of its foundation. The
Sundukian troupe performed Levon Shant’s “Old Gods” and American
playwright Ray Coon’s “Night Feast” plays at the famous “Alex” and
“Academy-Police” auditoriums of Los Angeles.

Vahe Shahverdian, Artistic Director and head producer of the theater,
said during a press conference that the tour was a great success, and
nine valuable diplomas of gratitude, including the diplomas given by
the US Senate, the Governor of California, the municipal authorities
of Los Angeles to the troupe are the evidence of this fact. “Old Gods”
received an especially enthusiastic welcome, that’s why Levon Shant’s
this work was performed instead of two announced performances of
“Night Feast”.

V. Shahverdian noticed that the tour was finished with the jubilee
celebration held at “Academy-Police” on October 29. Representatives
of foreign embassies, two members of the Armenian higher orders of
clergy, the RA Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs, the American
high-ranking officials, Armenian philanthropists from the Diaspora
were also present there. It was also noticed that the tour was widely
covered by the Diasporan and American press.

According to V. Shahverdian, the tour was held at the private
invitation of the Armenian- American Cultural and Musical-Theatrical
Union, but then it turned to an arrangement of state level due to
its quality and good organization. The organizers also invited the
troupe of the theater to give performances in th e US next year.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

5,200 STUDENTS STUDY IN NAGORNO KARABAKH

STEPANAKERT, November 17 (Noyan Tapan). A solemn arrangement was
held on the occasion of the International Youth Day in Stepanakert on
November 17. The NKR Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport awarded
the best students of higher schools of the republic with diplomas and
souvenirs. Universal tree planting was organized by the students in
the capital of the republic.

According to the NKR Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport, one
state, seven private higher schools and five technical secondary
schools operate in Nagorno Karabakh today. A total of 5,200 students
study there, 3,600 of them study at the Artsakh State University.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian security service arrests school bomb hoaxer

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
20 Nov 04

[Presenter over video of Chekhov School] The criminal who made a
hoax phone call about an explosion at the Chekhov School has been
arrested. Criminal responsibility and imprisonment are envisaged for
such an act.

An anonymous phone call was made to the headmistress of Yerevan’s
Chekhov School No 55 on 19 November at around 1000 [0600 gmt] to say
that an act of terrorism was expected.

As a result of operational measures undertaken by the Armenian
National Security Service the caller has been found and subjected to
legal investigation. He is a Yerevan citizen, born in 1961, with a
previous conviction, Armen Serezha Nadzharyan. He is deputy chairman
of the Hope public organization.

It was revealed that Nadzharyan made the phone call to the school
from a phone box on Mashtots Street on 19 November at 0947 [0547 gmt]
and spoke about an alleged terrorist act.

Criminal proceedings into the case have started. Nadzharyan has been
arrested. An investigation is now under way.

The National Security Service appealed to citizens to refrain from
such actions, which inflict moral and material damage on society, and
recalled that criminal responsibility and imprisonment are envisaged
for such acts.

[Video shows Nadzharyan]

Priority objective for economic development

Editorial

Yerkir/arm
November 19, 2004

During the recent period, Armenia has been experiencing economic
and political stability which enables development of a mid and long
term strategies.

However, there are some obvious arguments here. Supporters of active
constructive policy, justly referring to the failures of the market,
unjustly propose increasing of role of the government, especially in
branch industry policy. On the opposite side, neo-liberals propose
to continue liberalization of the market.

These parties have more in common than they admit. Both stand on the
role of institutes (in the first case Рstate, in the second ̢~@~S
market). However, both views are dubious from practical policy
standpoint for the reasons of actual need to change the available
policy or lack of resources.

Anyway, how can we contribute to proportional development of the two
institutions? Note that only in case of successful balance we can
have prosperous and competitive economy.

We single out the following basic approaches: first, unification
approach of government and market. This means a strategy that would
enable establishment both of the state and the market. Second,
effective use of knowledge. Institutional reforms take time. If
knowledge is properly used, the reforms may speed up.

Third, approach of institutional innovations. It takes turning
knowledge into behavior of economic stakeholders and the society to
make the knowledge work, to make it demanded by the market. This is
about social education.

In other word, issues number one for the development of the Armenian
economy is the development of the knowledge “industry”. This is a
pledge for transition to a competitive market.

Creative usage of market and technological knowledge enable solution
of many transitional issues. On the other hand, without development
of the knowledge “economy” it will be difficult to provide desired
economic and consequently strategic-political security level.

–Boundary_(ID_QYWEuljQON7+/igX58r43Q)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AMSTERDAM TO HOST THIRTEENTH EURASIAN TRANSPORT FORUM

RIA Novosti, Russia
Nov 22 2004

THE HAGUE, NOVEMBER 22, (RIA Novosti’s Andrei Poskakukhin) – The
thirteenth Eurasian transport forum is to open in Amsterdam November
22, lasting until November 27.

The Eurasian transport forum is the most important event dealing with
the development of European, CIS and Baltic transport sectors. Among
other things, Russian, Kazakh and Armenian transport ministers,
transport-company representatives, those of major seaports and river
ports, investment agencies, auditing and other companies, as well as
state and international organizations, would be expected to attend
this forum.

Forum delegates are to discuss the development of different
transport categories, the expanded European Union’s influence
on Eurasian transport flows, the development of trade and the
international transport-service market after the EU’s expansion,
the safety of Eurasian transport systems, legal support for the
Russian transport infrastructure, the expansion of ports and their
modernization, up-to-date highway-construction concepts, customs
regulations, transit traffic, transport corridors, ambitious
transport-infrastructure projects on CIS territory, as well as EU
transport-project appropriations.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Global Need for a Universal-Minded Russia
By Emmanuel Todd | Monday, November 22, 2004

The Globalist
Nov 22 2004

President Putin’s recent turn toward authoritarianism seems
heavy-handed. Yet, Russia has a traditionally egalitarian approach to
international relations. Emmanuel Todd, author of “After the Empire,”
argues that — if the country can avoid the pitfalls of anarchy and
authoritarianism — this universalist tradition could help Russia to
become a much-needed global balancing power.

Russia’s temperament is universalist. Equality was inscribed in the
heart of the Russian peasant family structure by a rule of
inheritance that was absolutely symmetrical.

Egalitarian social structures

Under Peter the Great, the Russian nobles rejected primogeniture —
the rule of inheritance that favors the eldest son to the detriment
of the other siblings.

A liberal Russian economy will never be an individualist Anglo-Saxon
style capitalism. It will keep communitarian features.

Like the French peasants who had become literate before the French
Revolution, the Russian peasants who became literate in the 20th
century spontaneously considered all men equal.

Communism spread as a universalist doctrine offered to the world with
— I admit — tragic and disappointing results.

However, the underlying universalist approach allowed for the
transformation of the Russian empire into the Soviet Union.

Bolshevism’s appeal

Bolshevism drew the Russian empire’s minorities into its circles of
power — Baltics, Jews, Georgians and Armenians. Like France, Russia’s
seductiveness flowed from its capacity to treat all men as equals.

Communism eventually fell apart. And today, we find that the
anthropological base of the former Soviet sphere is changing slowly.

Anticipating Russia’s future

And yet, despite these changes, the new Russian democracy — if it
succeeds — will retain certain basic characteristics. We should keep
them in mind if we want to anticipate its likely future behavior on
the international scene.

Unlike Americans, Russians do not go around thinking there is a
prefiguerd borderline separating real men from everyone else —
Indians, blacks and Arabs.

For starters, a liberal Russian economy will never be an
individualist Anglo-Saxon style capitalism. Instead, it will keep
communitarian features, creating horizontal associative forms that it
is too early to define more precisely.

Similarly, the political system is unlikely to function along the
lines of the alternating two-party English and American model.

Russia’s long communitarian tradition

Anyone who wants to speculate about the future shape of Russia ought
to read the classic study by Anatole Leroy-Beaulieu, “L’Empire des
tsars et les russes” (1897-1898).

It contains a comprehensive description of the behaviors and
institutions marked by Russia’s communitarian sensibility 20 to 40
years before the triumph of communism.

American and Russian sensibilities

Russia’s universalist approach to international politics will trigger
reflexes and instinctive reactions close to those of France —
evidenced, for example, by the way France irritates the United States
by its “egalitarian” approach to the Israeli-Palestinian question.

Russia’s temperament is universalist. Equality was inscribed in the
heart of the Russian peasant family structure.

Unlike some Americans, Russians do not go around thinking there is an
a priori borderline separating real men from everyone else — Indians,
blacks and Arabs.

They have also not exterminated Indians, at least since the conquest
of Siberia in the 17th century.

Yearning for a universalist temperament

The survival of Bashkirs, Ostiaks, Maris, Samoyeds, Buryats, Tungus,
Yakuts, Yukaghirs and Chukchees testifies to the complex structure of
the Russian Federation.

In my view, the Russian universalist temperament is cruelly lacking
in international politics today.

A place for a strong Russia

The dissolution of the Soviet Union — and with it a certain
egalitarian angle on international relations — explains in part the
unleashing of differentialist tendencies among Americans, Israelis
and others.

The dissolution of the Soviety Union explains in part the unleashing
of differentialist tendencies among Americans, Israelis and others.

The theme of France’s little universalist music is faint indeed
without the power of Russia as amplifier. The return of Russia within
the international balance of power can only help the United Nations.

If Russia can avoid the pitfalls of anarchy and authoritarianism, it
could become a fundamental balancing force in the world — a strong,
non-hegemonic nation expressing an egalitarian understanding of the
relations between peoples.

This attitude will be all the easier to maintain since — unlike the
United States — Russia does not rely on asymmetrical levies
throughout the world for its raw materials, finished goods, capital
or oil.

Adapted from “After the Empire” by Emmanuel Todd. Copyright © 2002
Editions Gallimard. Translation copyright © 2003 by Columbia
University Press. Used by arrangement with Columbia University Press
and Editions Gallimard. All rights reserved.

–Boundary_(ID_KMRjGaMA7AyIvBWSMBZu2A)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Blacks Demand Equal Justice From New York Life Insurance Company

Emediawire (press release), WA
Nov 22 2004

Outraged over what they call a Jim Crow standard for justice,”
Black descendants of enslaved Africans launched an online campaign
against New York Life Insurance Company entitled, “Justice 4 One –
Justice 4 All”. The campaign raises questions about why, on January
26, 2004, New York Life forced Black descendants of African slavery
victims out of court with a class action lawsuit for restitution, and
three (3) days later settled a similar case for $20 million with
White descendants of Armenian genocide victims. The website is
located at:

New York, NY (PRWEB) November 22, 2004 — Outraged over what they
call a “Jim Crow standard for justice,” Black descendants of African
slavery victims launched an online campaign against New York Life
Insurance Company entitled, “Justice 4 One – Justice 4 All” – at
The campaign raises questions about
why, on January 26, 2004, New York Life forced Blacks out of court
with a class action lawsuit for slavery restitution, and three days
later settled a similar case for $20 million with White descendants
of Armenian genocide victims.

The slavery case was filed against New York Life in May of 2002, and
is entitled, In Re: African-American Slave Descendants,
CV-02-7764(CRN) (United States District Court, Northern District of
Illinois, Eastern Division). Black plaintiffs claimed that New York
Life committed a crime against humanity via its early company that
wrote life insurance policies enslaving their African ancestors in
mid-1800. Slave owners were the beneficiaries.

Over one third of New York Life’s first revenue came from writing
slave policies. This practice encouraged the employment of enslaved
people in ultra-hazardous capacities, like coal mining or
constructing railroads, which sometimes resulted in burning and
drowning deaths. The website contains a copy of a company policy
enslaving an African named Robert Moody who was employed in a
Virginia coal pit.

The Armenian genocide case, Marootian v. New York Life Insurance
Company, CV-99-12073(CAS),(United States District Court, Central
District of California), was filed in November of 1999. The
plaintiffs claimed that New York Life wrongfully failed to pay
benefits under life insurance policies they issued as far back as the
1870s in the Turkish Ottoman Empire on the lives of their Armenian
ancestors. New York Life denies any wrongdoing.

Slave descendants say critical factors in the cases were identical
and should have resulted in the same outcome:
– Both cases involved insurance policies from the 19th century;
– Both involved descendants making claims on behalf of
themselves and their ancestors; and
– Both cases resulted from some of the worst crimes committed
against humans in world history — the enslavement of Africans, and
the genocide of Armenians.

“Race is the key difference in these cases. This looks like
discrimination against African-Americans,” said Deadria Farmer-
Paellmann, Executive Director of the Restitution Study Group — the
New York non-profit sponsoring the campaign.

The slavery case was amended in the Northern District Federal Court
in Chicago, Illinois on April 5, 2004. A decision is pending.

Contact:
Deadria Farmer-Paellmann
Phone: 917-365-3007

–Boundary_(ID_Y05TPXSn7u3vUCxyqLm/kQ)–