Author: Badalian Vardan

AZG Armenian Daily #145, 18/08/2005
Appointment
YERVAND AZATIAN APPOINTED MINISTER’S ADVISER
Hovik Hoveyan, minister of Culture and Youth Affairs of Armenia,
received yesterday prominent American-Armenian publicist Yervand
Azatian. Beginning from July 1 of 2005, Mr. Azatian has been working
as adviser of the culture minister on the communities of the Armenian
Diaspora. The minister handed Mr. Azatian a copy of an order of his
appointment and acquainted him with impending projects and plans.
Dwelling on the expectations that the minister pins on the new adviser,
Mr. Hoveyan said, “I am not the one who should speak about deeds of
Yervand Azatian. His works, articles on literature, his public work
speak well for his personality. It’s an honor to have him as adviser
on Diaspora affairs, and I will gladly listen to his advices. We are
old friends and I know his intellectual potential. It’s an honor for
me to work with such a bright intellectual as Yervand Azatian”.
“Not only the Culture Ministry will benefit from this appointment
but the whole country”, Mr. Hoveyan concluded.
By Marietta Makarian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Aug 17 2005
LATVIA SUPPORTS TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF AZERBAIJAN AND APPRECIATES
ITS PARTICIPATION IN PEACE-BUILDING MISSION
[August 17, 2005, 22:26:20]
As is known, defense minister of the Azerbaijan Republic
colonel-general Safar Abiyev has paid an official visit to Riga on
the invitation of the defense minister of the Republic of Latvia
Eynars Repshe on 15-16 August.
On 15 August, Mr. Safar Abiyev met with the Commander of National
Armed Forces of Latvia, vice-admiral Gaydis Andreys Zeybots. After
the briefing on the Armed Forces of Latvia for the defense minister
of Azerbaijan, Mr. Safar Abiyev informed on the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno Karabakh conflict, on the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan and the
cooperation links with NATO.
The same day, Mr. Abiyev met with defense minister of Latvia
Eynars Repshe. Mr. Safar Abiyev highlighted on the NATO-Azerbaijan
cooperation, on Azerbaijan’s participation in the anti-terror
coalition, and on the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
“We believe that sooner or later all the states will recognize Armenia
as an aggressor and demand to withdraw its armed forces from the
occupied territories of Azerbaijan”, Mr. Abiyev stressed.
Mr. Eynars Repshe underlined that Latvia supports territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan and highly assesses its participation in the
peace-building mission.
After the meeting, the ministers have signed an agreement on
cooperation in the military field between the defense ministries of
the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Latvia.
The Agreement includes exchange of experience related to
participation in the NATO’s PfP Program, the defense policy and
strategy, commandment and management, international peace support
and humanitarian operations, cooperation in military construction
and military reforms, military education and others.
The same day, Speaker of the Latvian Seym Ms. Ingrida Udre received
the Azerbaijan delegation. Then, foreign minister of Latvia Artis
Pabriks met with the defense minister of Azerbaijan and discussed
issues of cooperation.
Defense minister of Azerbaijan also had a series of meetings with
representatives of relevant departments of Latvia.
On 16 August, colonel-general Safar Abiyev familiarized with the
activity of the Research-Rescue Service Center of the Navy of Latvia.

PRESS RELEASE
ARPA Institute
18106 Miranda St.
Tarzana, CA 91356 &
Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America
417 W. Arden St., Suite 112C
Glendale, CA 91203
Contact: Hagop Panossian
Tel: (818) 596-9660
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
ARPA Institute and AESA present the Lecture/Seminar: “Technology,
Globalization and Entropy in Everyday Life,” by Jack Hokikian,
Ph.D. on Thursday, August 25, 2005 at 7:30 PM in the Merdinian school
auditorium. The Address is 13330 Riverside Dr., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403.
Directions: on the 101 FWY exit on Woodman, go north and turn right
on Riverside Dr.
Abstract: The author’s book The Science of Disorder: Understanding the
Complexity, Uncertainty, and Pollution in Our World will serve as the
basis of the evening’s lecture. Through the Laws of Thermodynamics-the
Laws of Energy and Entropy-the effects of technology, accelerated
consumption of goods and natural resources and globalization on our
environment and on our lives will be discussed. Questions such as
“why our lives are becoming increasingly complicated, disordered
and uncertain” and “why we have less time for ourselves, even though
we are surrounded with more ‘timesaving’ devices than ever before”
will be answered. Approaches and methods will be provided on how to
attain a philosophy of life that can guide us in our daily actions
and decisions.
Jack Hokikian received his Ph.D. in experimental nuclear physics from
the University of Southern California. In the 1970s, he worked at the
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he was involved in orbit determination
of spacecrafts. He has published numerous articles in the Bulletin of
the American Physical Society, Nuclear Physics, American Astronomical
Society and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Conference Proceedings. He has taught computer science courses at the
University of Southern California and the California State University
in Northridge. He recently worked for a health care organization
as a consultant/data architect. He is the author of The Science of
Disorder: Understanding the Complexity, Uncertainty, and Pollution
in Our World. He was interviewed on Voice of America and has appeared
on Horizon Evening News and Barry Kibrick’s “Between the Lines.”
For Information Please call Dr. Hagop Panossian at (818)586-9660

FUNDS OF NATIONAL LIBRARY OF ARMENIA PERIODICALLY REPLENISHED WITH BOOKS PUBLISHED IN RUSSIA
YEREVAN, AUGUST 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Within the framework of the
Year of Russia held in Armenia, an exihibition under the title
“Armenian-Russian Literary Cultural Ties” opened at the National
Library of Armenia (NLA) on August 16. According to Rafik Ghazarian,
the NLA Deputy Director, the Armenian-Russian friendship has a
history of centuries, an important part of which is the cultural
cooperation. It was mentioned that today that cooperation is diplayed
in the way of closer and more ungenious ties. According to R.Ghazarian,
Russian literature, music and theater had their influence on the
development of the Armenian culture. Particularly, influence of
Pushkin’s, Lermontov’s, Gogol’s Turgenev’s, Chekhov’s and many others’
works is felt in Armenian writers’ works. It was also mentioned that
first Armenian translations of writings of Pushkin, Russian poet of
genius were still published in 1840. R.Ghazarian informed that 70% of
the literature kept at the NLA funds is in Russian. Even at present,
the NLA is in close ties with state libraries of Saint Petersburg
and Moscow. Due to that cooperation, the NLA funds are replenished
with hundreds of books being published in Russia every year.

UEFA

Aug 13 2005
FIFA World Cup: Armenia bring in local cover
Injuries have robbed Armenia coach Henk Wisman of some first-choice
players for Wednesday’s friendly in Jordan.
Local cover
Goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky is sidelined, leading the coach to bring
in FC Pyunik No1 Gevorg Kasparov, and with defenders Karen Dokhoyan
and Harutyun Vardanyan also out of action, Wisman has named a number
of home-based players to complete his 18-man party. FC Kilikia forward
Nshan Erzrumyan and FC Banants trio Aram Hakobyan, Samvel Melkonyan
and Ararat Arakelyan are all included.
Armenia squad
Bete (FC Pyunik), Kasparov (FC Pyunik), Hovsepyan (FC Pyunik),
Melikyan(FC Metalurh Donetsk), Tadevosyan (FC Pyunik), Arzumanyan
(FC Pyunik), V Aleksanyan (FC Pyunik), Khachatryan (OFI Crete FC),
Mkhitaryan (FC MTZ-RIPO Minsk), Lazarian (FC Pyunik), Nazaryan (FC
Pyunik), K Aleksanyan (CSF Zimbru Chisinau), Voskanyan (FC Yesil
Bogatyr Petropavlovsk), Arman Karamyan (FC Gloria 1922 Bistrita),
Artavazd Karamyan (AFC Rapid Bucuresti), Hakobyan (FC Metalurh
Donetsk), Shahgeldyan (FC MIKA), Petrosyan (CSF Zimbru Chisinau).

MAXIMUM MONTLY USE OF WATER BY PRIVATE DWELLING HOUSES WITHOUT WATER
METERS TO BE CALCULATED IN AMOUNT OF UP TO 100 CUBIC METERS
YEREVAN, AUGUST 11, NOYAN TAPAN. At the August 11 sitting, the
Armenian government made a decision to calculate the maximum monthly
use of water by the inhabitants of the private dwelling houses, in
which water meters have not been installed, in the amount of up to 100
cubic meters – in order to mitigate to some extent the impact of the
tariff and prevent the accumulation of debts. According to the RA
Government Information and PR Department, it was noted at the sitting
that the decision is also meant as an additional incentive to install
water meters.

Turkish Press
Aug 8 2005
Press Scan
SABAH (LIBERAL)
TURKEY CLOSES DOORS TO SWITZERLAND
Protests started against Switzerland which considered rejection of
Armenian genocide as crime. Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen
postponed scheduled visit of Swiss Economics minister saying, ”my
schedule is not appropriate.”
Switzerland launched an investigation into Labor Party (IP) leader
Dogu Perincek last month. Switzerland had also opened a legal
procedure against Turkish Institute of History (TTK) Chairman Prof.
Dr. Yusuf Halacoglu in May as they defended the view that there was
not Armenian genocide.

Former oil-for-food chief quits U.N.
Sevan calls payoff allegations false, says Annan ‘sacrificed’ him
CNN.com
Sunday, August 7, 2005
UNITED NATIONS (CNN) — The former director of the U.N. oil-for-food
program resigned Sunday, denying wrongdoing and blasting the
organization and its leadership a day before he is to be accused of
profiting from illegal deals.
Benon Sevan resigned from the United Nations in a letter to Kofi
Annan, accusing the secretary-general of “sacrificing” him for
political expediency.
A spokesman for the U.N.-appointed Independent Inquiry Committee
investigating the program told CNN last week that the committee’s
latest report on the topic, to be issued Monday, would address
allegations against Sevan.
Sevan was suspended after an initial report was issued in
February. (Full story)
Sevan became a U.N. “adviser” after the oil-for-food program ended
in 2003, and his attorney, Eric Lewis, said Sevan retired with the
title of undersecretary-general.
Lewis said Thursday that he had been given the findings in advance,
and in a written statement vehemently denied any wrongdoing by his
client. (Full story)
Lewis told CNN on Sunday night that Sevan is in Cyprus, his home
country, and he didn’t know when he might return. Asked about the
timing of the resignation, the attorney said, “Sevan lost confidence
that the (secretary-general) or the (committee) would treat him
fairly.”
In the career diplomat’s three-page letter to Annan, released by Lewis’
office, Sevan called his management of the program “transparent.”
He said he was proud of what he and his staff accomplished and dismayed
at the lack of support from the United Nations. Sevan, 67, noted that
he has worked with Annan for nearly 40 years on various projects.
“I am disappointed by the tepid manner in which the United Nations
has spoken out in defending the program against the scandalous
accusations,” Sevan said.
“As I predicted, a high-profile legislative body invested with absolute
power would feel compelled to target someone, and that someone has
turned out to be me,” he said. “The charges are false, and you,
who have known me all these years, should know that they are false.
“I fully understand the pressure that you are under, and that there
are those who are trying to destroy your reputation as well as my own,
but sacrificing me for political expediency will never appease our
critics or help you or the organization.”
U.N. spokeswoman Marie Okabe said Sunday night that the world body
would have no comment on the resignation or the report until it
is released.
Lewis said the inquiry committee — led by former U.S. Federal Reserve
Chairman Paul Volcker — will contend that Sevan took $160,000 from
the trading company American Middle Eastern Petroleum, known as AMEP,
to help it secure lucrative oil contracts from the regime of former
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
The committee accuses Sevan of acting “in concert” with Eric Nadler,
a friend related to AMEP’s owner, Fakhry Abdelnour.
Volcker’s panel will cite as evidence telephone contacts with Nadler
that occurred during “significant periods,” such as “just before and
after” oil allocations and contract negotiations, Lewis said.
AMEP has admitted to the panel’s investigators that it paid an illegal
surcharge of $160,000 in October 2001 to guarantee oil contracts
from Iraq.
According to U.N. financial disclosure forms, Sevan received $160,000
in four cash payments from 1999 to 2003. He described them on financial
disclosure forms as cash gifts from an aunt, a retired government
photographer who lives in Cyprus.
“According to a long-time family friend, she never had shown signs
of having access to large amounts of cash,” the panel’s February
report stated.
That report said Iraq provided the oil to Sevan in an effort to gain
his support on several issues, including the repair and rebuilding
of Iraq’s infrastructure.
Volcker accused Sevan of placing himself in a “continuing
conflict-of-interest situation that violated explicit U.N. rules
and violated the standards of integrity essential to a high-level,
international civil servant.”
However, Sevan wrote Sunday: “I managed a $64 billion program, and
the (committee) thinks I would compromise my career for $160,000
and then report it publicly. This is what happens when you appoint
an unaccountable ‘special prosecutor’ with an unlimited budget and
mission to find someone, anyone to blame.”
According to Sevan, the United Nations transferred nearly $10 billion
to the Development Fund for Iraq after the oil-for-food program ended,
in November 2003.
Under the program, Iraq was permitted to export a limited amount of
its crude oil to buy food, medicine and supplies.
The program, the largest humanitarian operation in U.N. history, was
designed to help Iraq deal with the international economic sanctions
imposed after its 1990 invasion of Kuwait.
It generated $64 billion in revenue from its launch in late 1996 until
the U.S.-led invasion toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003.
Over seven years, 248 companies incorporated in 61 countries bought 3.4
billion barrels of Iraqi crude oil, with the proceeds deposited in a
U.N.-controlled bank account that paid vendors who sold U.N.-approved
goods back to Iraq. The oil revenue also paid for weapons inspectors.
Multiple investigations were prompted by reports that Saddam extorted
billions of dollars in surcharges from chosen oil buyers, received
kickbacks from suppliers of goods and may have awarded rights to
buy oil as political favors to countries that supported rolling
back sanctions.
Sevan also is the focus of an investigation into the oil-for-food
program by the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of
New York.
Lewis said he couldn’t address the status of Sevan’s diplomatic
immunity.
CNN’s Lauren Rivera contributed to this report.
Find this article at:
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Lraper Church Bulletin 05/08/2005
Contact: Deacon Vagharshag Seropyan
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Istanbul
T: +90 (212) 517-0970, 517-0971
F: +90 (212) 516-4833, 458-1365
[email protected]
WORRISOME OPENING FOR THE GREEK ORTHODOX SUMMER CAMP
ayNews&NewsCode=N000000822&Lang=
ENG
On Friday morning, 29 July 2005, His Beatitude Mesrob II, Armenian
Patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey traveled to the Kinali Island
Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Monastery, accompanied by Father
Drtad Uzunyan. They joined a liturgy presided over by the Greek
Orthodox Patriarch, His All Holiness Bartholomeos I on the occasion
of the opening of the children’s camp, which is held each summer in
the monastery. Since Fridays are the visiting day for the church in
the monastery, many Greek, Armenian, and Syriac Orthodox islanders
also attended the services. In spite of these special services for
the opening of the children’s camp, the number of children did not
exceed 15.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarch’s Press Statement
Following the liturgy Patriarch Bartholomeos took coffee in the
monastery and answered members of the press as follows in regard to
the reason for this distress.
“We are very uncomfortable and very concerned. We are upset that we
have had to open our children’s camp, which has been active since
1938, both late and without children. Because it has been left so
late, most of the children have had to go to their villages with
their families. Now we have to gather them together one by one. It
will be very difficult, but we will try to do it and try to continue
this tradition.
“The General Directorate of Foundations demanded from us a letter of
application so that we could borrow this camp from them for the summer
months. How can there be such a thing? Why should we need permission
from them to use our own property? This monastery was founded by
our ancestors and is ours. How can they control this monastery as
if there were no Greek community here? We have no legal personality,
they say. Then let them give it to us. What sort of mentality is this?
“It’s exactly because of this type of unacceptable practice that we
have to apply to the European Court of Human Rights. The matter of
the orphanage on Buyuk Island is similar. Of course we have applied
to the ECHR. And from now on we will always do so in the face of
every injustice.”
The Speech of Kezban Hatemi, Lawyer
Advocate Kezban Hatemi of the Greek Patriarchate’s legal staff spoke
as follows.
“It is legally wrong to take over foundations of minorities and give
them “confiscated foundation” status. Such a practice would also be
wrong in the case of Muslim foundations. There is a community. The
community is to decide for itself concerning its properties and their
uses. As for the religious leader of the community, he has a de facto
legal personality.
“The comments of Minister of State Mehmet Ali Sahin concerning the
foundations of minorities are highly unfortunate. He is a lawyer,
but the legal community has difficulty comprehending his words.”
His Beatitude Patriarch Mesrob’s Thoughts
His Beatitude the Patriarch gave the following answer to members of
the press concerning his thoughts on this worrisome matter.
“We know from the texts that the monastery was first founded on
this hilltop on Kinali Island in the 6th century. We have to take an
interest in this monastery, as we do in our other historical sites,
and restore it. The uproar we have lived through today in this
monastery, on the islands that are the pearls of our city, is not at
all pleasant. It is wrong, and it is shameful.
“What is required in order to perpetuate the existence of minority
Turkish or other Islamic groups in European countries? Of course,
schools and teachers are needed to transmit the languages and cultures
to the new generations; places of worship and religious officials
are needed to keep alive the religions, customs, and traditions; and
third, there is a need for associations and foundations to create the
resources that support the first two institutions. The needs of Greek,
Armenian, Jewish, Syriac, and Chaldean Turkish citizens living in
Turkey are no different. However, in all three areas it is a shame
that there are still worries and problems. This isn’t right.
“It’s interesting that this year is the anniversary of the Lausanne
Treaty. Street marches were organized for this occasion in Lausanne.
Visits to Ataturk’s mausoleum were made to create a festive
atmosphere. The Lausanne Treaty was signed in 1923. If the Lausanne
Treaty is truly perceived as a founding document of the Turkish
Republic, then here’s what I don’t understand: why is this treaty
not enforced? Articles 37 to 43 of the Lausanne Treaty deal with
minorities. Can we say that in the last 82 years these articles have
been put into effect? Please, put them literally into effect. If they
were applied, then there would be no need for new laws to be passed.”
The Luncheon
A luncheon was held in the dining hall of the monastery on the occasion
of this troublesome and eventful opening of the children’s camp. Both a
woman administrator of the camp and His Eminence Metropolitan Anthimos
of Alexandroupolis each spoke.
Following the meal, Patriarch Bartholomeos and Patriarch Mesrob visited
the room of the only sister in the monastery, who is 100 years old,
had coffee, and then took leave of the monastery.
Patriarch Bartholomeos left for the Holy Trinity Monastery on Heybeli
Island, while Patriarch Mesrob traveled by sea bus to Istanbul and
returned to Kumkapi.
Our readers can follow these links to more news from some newspapers
about the difficult opening of the Greek Orthodox children’s camp on
Kinali Island:
;Id=16257&DilId=1
;altid=5212

Jul. 30, 2005. 01:00 AM
Broken dreams in Armenia
A million leave behind country once full of hope
Many yearn for revolutionary but peaceful change
MICHAEL MAINVILLE
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
YEREVAN, Armenia-Naira Yeremyan knows her home doesn’t look like much,
but it’s all she has.
A ramshackle collection of wooden boards, concrete slabs and mismatched
bricks, it sits amid the winding streets of Kond, a desperately poor
neighbourhood perched on a hilltop overlooking the Armenian capital,
Yerevan.
What the neighbourhood does have is a view. Below Kond, the city
stretches for kilometres onto the Armenian plains. In the distance
sits the ice-capped peak of Mt. Ararat in Turkey.
The view has property developers salivating over the prospect of
erecting luxury apartments in Kond. And that’s the bane of Yeremyan’s
existence.
“This house is 60 years old. My grandfather and grandmother came here
to escape the genocide in Turkey,” says Yeremyan, 37. “My mother was
born here. I was born here. This home is part of our family. And now
they are saying we cannot live here, that we have to leave and get
almost nothing in return.”
Three months ago, local authorities told the 14,000 residents of Kond
they would have to vacate their homes by the end of the year to make
way for modern housing. In exchange, they will be given payments of
between $2,400 and $6,000.
“You cannot buy a house anywhere in Yerevan for that much. We are
going to be homeless. They are throwing us out on the streets,” says
Yeremyan, who shares both the house and a monthly pension of about
$30 with her 63-year-old mother.
Yeremyan has organized sit-ins, petitions and court challenges, but
her protests have fallen on deaf ears. Those behind the project are
among the wealthy businessmen who control much of Armenia’s economy.
Government connections let them operate as they please.
“The authorities will not listen to us,” Yeremyan says. “There are
corrupt and influential people behind this and they can do whatever
they want.”
Kond is hardly unique. Armenians across the country face similar
obstacles – crippling poverty, endemic corruption and powerlessness
in the face of what critics say is an increasingly authoritarian
government.
It wasn’t supposed to be this way. When independence came after the
break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia seemed a dream come
true for a people with a tragic history. Less than a century after
the Armenian genocide – when the Turks killed between 500,000 and 1.5
million – the world’s 4 million-member Armenian diaspora finally had a
national homeland. But instead of thriving, Armenia languished. Its
politics are moribund, dominated by President Robert Kocharian,
a man critics accuse of falsifying elections and cracking down on
opponents. The economy, though improving, is in shambles. Almost half
the population lives on less than $2 a day.
The result has been a mass exodus – the reverse of early hopes for
Armenia. Instead of hundreds of thousands of dispersed Armenians
flocking to the country, more than 1 million have left for Russia and
the West. According to some estimates, the country has lost more than
30 per cent of its working-age population.
“People are leaving because they don’t see any hope for the future,”
says Avetik Ishkanyan, chair of the Helsinki Committee, a human rights
group. “And the worst part is that the ones who are leaving are from
the most active part of society – these are the people we need to
bring about changes in this country.”
Critics lay much of the blame at Kocharian’s feet. They say the
president – elected for a second time in 2003 – is running a corrupt
and despotic regime, giving free rein to businessmen close to him
and stifling any dissent.
“There is a huge gap between those in power and the majority
of Armenian society,” says Stepan Demirchian, the leader of the
opposition Justice coalition and son of a Kocharian rival killed in
1999 when gunmen attacked parliament. “And when we try to resist,
when we try to bring democratic change, they respond with violence.”
In April 2004, inspired by the peaceful Rose Revolution in Georgia,
tens of thousands of Armenians took to the streets to denounce
Kocharian and voting fraud in 2003 elections. Kocharian called in
police to break up the protest with stun grenades and water cannon.
“More than 600 citizens were arrested, political party offices were
ransacked, journalists were beaten,” Demirchian says. “And, after all
these acts of violence, the authorities tell us we have to be patient,
that it is a long road to democracy.”
Government officials insist the crackdown was needed to maintain
order, and say opposition parties are simply trying to seize power
for themselves.
Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan says the opposition uses the pretence
of supporting democracy to gain support abroad as they attempt to
overthrow the government. He says he knows Armenia’s democracy is
not perfect, but believes it is improving.
“The government is stable and the country is on the path to becoming
fully democratic,” he says. “A lot has been done, but a lot remains
to be done.”
Under pressure from the West, Armenia will hold a national referendum
this year on a package of constitutional amendments designed to limit
the power of the presidency and protect judicial independence.
Oskanyan says the reforms will be key to ensuring democratic growth.
“Once we complete our constitutional reforms, Armenia will move
forward in leaps and bounds,” he says.
Opposition leaders say the reforms are only symbolic and see the
referendum as a potential trigger for the kind of mass protests that
drove out authoritarian governments in Georgia and Ukraine.
Aram Sarkisian, leader of the radical Republic Party, says opposition
parties are gearing up to organize mass demonstrations after the
referendum, which he says is sure to be fraudulent.
“The situation in our country is terrible. People are leaving
because they have no hope,” he says. “Armenian society is ready for
revolutionary change, peaceful and civilized change.”
Sarkisian says he met with White House and State Department officials
during a June trip to Washington and emerged confident of American
support for a revolution.
“The United States supported the Georgians and the Ukrainians and
they will help the Armenian people,” he says.
Still, experts say it’s unlikely the opposition can organize a
successful revolution or win Western support. Fractured by in-fighting
and with no clear leader, the opposition is more likely to fall apart
before posing any threat to Kocharian.
“The opposition is too weak and the government is just democratic
enough to keep the West from supporting drastic changes,” says a
Western official in Yerevan, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Chatting over rich coffees in Yerevan’s trendy ArtBridge Café, a
group of students and recent graduates agree that a revolution is
next to impossible.
Unlike so many young Armenians, they’ve decided to stay and try to
build their country.
“I will not leave Armenia, I want to do things for my country,
make it a better place to live,” says Artak Ayunts, a 26-year-old
university lecturer.
But the group is skeptical about radical changes. They don’t believe
Armenians are ready for a revolution and say it could take decades
of slow progress before the country is free and relatively prosperous.
“People don’t believe in themselves, they think someone else should
always make changes for them,” Ayunts says.
Jokes philosophy student Gevorg Abrahamyan: “The biggest problem with
Armenia is the Armenians.” Michael Mainville is a Canadian journalist
based in Moscow.
–Boundary_(ID_e0vStfdpaHb9E53k9/2QXw)–