Author: Dabaghian Diana

ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN ADDRESS ISSUE OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH IN UN ASSEMBLY DEBATE
UN (United Nations)

Sept 27 2006
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly on the fifth day of
its annual high-level debate, the foreign ministers of Armenia and
Azerbaijan expressed their views on the Nagorno-Karabakh region
of Azerbaijan.
Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said on Monday that “the
people of Nagorno-Karabakh chose long ago not to be represented by the
Government of Azerbaijan. They were the victims of state violence, they
defended themselves, and succeeded against great odds, only to hear
the State cry foul and claim sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Mr. Oskanian said that last December Azerbaijan destroyed or removed
thousands of hand-sculpted mediaeval Armenian tombstones.
“Such destruction, in an area with no Armenians, at a distance from
Nagorno-Karabakh and any conflict areas, is a callous demonstration
that Azerbaijan’s attitude towards tolerance, human values, cultural
treasures, cooperation or even peace, has not changed.”
He added that “one cannot blame us for thinking that Azerbaijan is
not ready or interested in a negotiated peace.”
Elmar Mammadyarov, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, told the Assembly
that a recent joint environmental operation between the two countries
to tackle major fires inside Nagorno-Karabakh has been “the only
positive development so far.”
“The occupying forces have to withdraw from the occupied territories
and necessary conditions have to be in place to allow secure
and dignified return of the Azerbaijani displaced persons to the
Nagorno-Karabakh region and surrounding territories of Azerbaijan,”
he said.
Nagorno-Karabakh’s status can only be defined “through peaceful,
democratic and legal process with direct participation and consent
of both Azerbaijani and Armenian communities,” he said, adding
that the region’s economic development must be strengthened and its
inter-communal relations enhanced.
But “it is difficult to hope for a breakthrough in the negotiations
when Armenia rejects face-to-face meetings and refuses to take a
constructive approach to solve existing problems.”

CIS INTERSTATE COUNCIL FOR EMERGENCIES OPENS IN YEREVAN
ITAR-TASS, Russia
Sept 26 2006
YEREVAN, September 26 (Itar-Tass) – – International cooperation
to prevent emergencies of natural and technogenic character play
an important role, says a message which Armenian Prime Minister
Andranik Margaryan sent to participants in the 20th meeting of the
CIS Inter-State Council for Emergencies of Natural and Technogenic
Character which opened here.
“We all are well aware that not a single country can oppose major
disasters alone,” the Armenian prime minister said. According to
him, “steps directed to raise the efficiency of the activity on
forecasting and monitoring emergencies on the CIS territory, joint
scientific-research works, exchanges of information and preparations
of rescue forces deserve praise, are very useful and contributes to
growth of our countries’ interaction.”

TURKISH PARLIAMENT TRIES TO AVOID REOPENING ORTHODOX SEMINARY
By Selcan Hacaoglu, Associated Press Writer
Associated Press Worldstream
September 21, 2006 Thursday 12:52 PM GMT
Turkey’s parliament on Thursday was divided over the wording of a
resolution regarding minority schools, with opposition lawmakers
fearing that it could allow a Greek Orthodox theology school closed
35 years ago to reopen.
Turkey has been resisting pressure from the European Union to reopen
the Halki Theological School, on the Heybeliada island near Istanbul,
which was closed to new students in 1971 under a law that put religious
and military training under state control. The seminary remained open
until 1985, when the last five students graduated.
On Wednesday, lawmakers from the ruling Justice and Development Party
voted by hands to approve the resolution allowing foreign students to
attend minority schools in Turkey, acting on a last minute request
from the Foreign Ministry to allow children of foreigners living in
the country to attend such schools.
But legislators from the opposition Republican People’s Party strongly
opposed the resolution, arguing that it would reopen the Orthodox
seminary.
The opposition forced parliament to postpone the debate until Tuesday,
to wait for clarification from the Foreign Ministry and Education
Ministry.
Lawmakers from the ruling party argued Thursday that the resolution
was restricted to the first eight grades and would not apply to the
Orthodox seminary, which is a high school.
EU officials and the United States have repeatedly called on Turkey
to open up the religious seminary that has trained generations of
Orthodox leaders, including current Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I,
and restore property to minority Christian groups that was seized by
the state after a decline in the size of their congregations.
The parliament is expected to address the property issue also next
week. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has said reforms would address the
problems of minority religious groups, such as Greeks and Armenians,
but was not clear if they would allow the groups to reclaim property
that has since been sold to other people.
The Halki school trained generations of church leaders, including
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, and Orthodox officials say the
school’s reopening is important for educating future leaders.
After the college closed, the Patriarchate tried to train future
leaders of the church by sending them to theological schools abroad
after they finished the high school here. But most never returned,
something church officials complain starves them of possible new
leaders.
The Orthodox leadership elected a young ecumenical patriarch
intentionally in 1992, Bartholomew, who was only 51 at the time.
Under a 1923 treaty with Greece, the ecumenical patriarch must be a
Turkish citizen. That was the condition set by Turkey for allowing
the Patriarchate to remain in Istanbul.
Turkey has been accused of using its control over the Patriarchate
in Istanbul as a weapon against Greek moves on the Muslim minority in
Greece. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently complained about
Greece’s refusal to recognize the authority of a religious leader,
or mufti, elected by local Muslims there.
The patriarchate in Istanbul dates from the 1,100-year-old Orthodox
Greek Byzantine Empire, which collapsed when the Muslim Ottoman Turks
conquered Constantinople, today’s Istanbul, in 1453.
Istanbul-based Bartholomew I is the leader of the world’s Orthodox
Christians, although only a few thousand Greeks now live in Turkey.
He also directly controls several Greek Orthodox churches around the
world, including the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
But Turkey has long refused to accept any international role for the
patriarch, a Turkish citizen and ethnic Greek, and rejects his use
of the title “ecumenical,” or universal. It argues the patriarch is
merely the spiritual leader of Istanbul’s dwindling Orthodox community.
Turkey’s desire to contain Bartholomew’s influence to Istanbul stems
from a deep mistrust many Turks feel toward the patriarchate because of
its traditional ties with Greece, Turkey’s historical regional rival.

September 22, 2006
PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
THE PRELATE’S VISITATIONS IN ARMENIA DURING THE THIRD ARMENIA-DIASPORA
CONFERENCE
Upon official invitations extended to His Eminence, Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, departed for Armenia on Sunday, September 17,
2006, to join the entourage of His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of the
Holy See of Cilicia at the third Armenia-Diaspora Conference.
Alongside the three-day forum, the Prelate accompanied His Holiness
on His travels and meetings at St. Etchmiadzin and elsewhere. His
Eminence also participated in celebrations and events dedicated to
the 15th anniversary of Armenia’s independence.
On Thursday, September 21, the Prelate joined the entourage of His
Holiness at St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Cathedral in Yerevan
where special prayers were offered for the Republic of Armenia.
The Prelate also joined His Holiness as they visited public officials,
the Sardarabad Monument, and the A.R.F. Bureau Central Offices, as
well as participated in the closing ceremonies of the Armenia-Diaspora
Conference.
BIBLE STUDY CLASSES RESUME AT PRELACY PARISHES
Following summer break, Bible Study classes are once again being
offered at our parishes.
On Monday evenings, beginning at 7:00 p.m., Bible study is offered
at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena by Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian.
On Tuesday evenings, Bible study is offered at St. Mary’s Church in
Glendale at 7:30 p.m. by Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian.
The Holy Martyrs Church and its youth group in Encino have organized
a monthly spiritual lecture series, headed by Very Rev. Fathers Muron
Aznikian and Very Rev. Barthev Gulumian. The first talk, which will
take place on Wednesday, September 27, features Very Rev. Fr. Muron
Aznikian speaking on the topic “The Books and Content of the Holy
Scriptures”.
The compete schedule can be viewed in the upcoming events section of
our website at

KOCHARYAN RECEIVED CHAYKA
A1+
[01:12 pm] 22 September, 2006
Today Robert Kocharyan received Attorney General of the Russian
Federation Yuri Chayka.
The sides discussed the reforms in the prosecution systems of both
countries and the necessity to develop mutual cooperation.
Robert Kocharyan said that the successful experience of cooperation
of the Armenian and Russian police and special service shows that
there can be efficient cooperation in the prosecution system too.
Yuri Chayka said that during his visit to Armenia he has had agreements
with Armenian officials about further cooperation.

Emomali Rahmonov Wished Armenian People Peace and Prosperity
PanARMENIAN.Net
21.09.2006 14:15 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Tajikistani President Emomali Rahmonov sent a
congratulatory address to his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian
on the occasion of the Independence Day. “Tajikistan values the kind
traditions of friendly relations between our states and peoples and
will exert every effort for their strengthening and development,”
the message says in part, reported RIA Novosti.

PRESS RELEASE
Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) – Yerevan Office
53-55 Pavstos Byuzand Street, 375010
Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Inessa Grigoryan
Tel: (+374 10) 522076; 562068
Fax: (+374 10) 522076
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Children of Armenia Fund – New York Office
630 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2100,
New York, NY 10111, USA
Contact: Anna Sargsyan
Tel: 212 – 994 – 8201
Fax: 212 – 994 – 8299
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
For immediate release
COAF Founder and Chairman Speaks at Armenia-Diaspora
Conference
Yerevan, Republic of
Armenia, September 18, 2006 ¾ Today, Dr. Garo Armen, founder and
chairman of the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) addressed the
delegates of the Armenia-Diaspora Conference. The plenary session
dealing with Rural Poverty Eradication Program was attended by over
1,000 delegates from around the world, including the United States,
Canada, South America, Europe, Eurasia, and the Middle East.
Dignitaries addressing this session of the conference included the
Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the Minister of
Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Agriculture, and the Minister of
Territorial Administration.
Dr. Armen led the delegates through a virtual journey through rural
Armenia, describing the conditions in most of the villages and
prescribing the exact formula for poverty eradication. Speaking from
his personal experiences, he described the crumbling and
heart-breaking conditions in which he had found Karakert a few years
ago. He also recalled the delegates’ experiences as they toured the
School of Lernagog [soon to be renovated as part of COAF’s Model
Cluster project] the day before. For Dr. Armen, the conditions in
which today’s children live, learn, and grow ¾ or the overall
wellbeing of the next generation of the Armenian leadership ¾ create
the most critical and unquestionable need that every Armenian must
focus on without delay. “The children of Armenia are our focal
point; they are the key drivers of our development program.”
Then, he delineated the key elements of what makes COAF’s rural
development program comprehensive and all-encompassing. Aside from
the reconstruction of the infrastructure, including the renovation of
public buildings, schools, kindergartens, community centers, and
health clinics, Dr. Armen articulated the importance of
simultaneously realizing economic, social, educational, and health
programs. “Even the softest of our social programs have a tremendous
positive impact on these communities. COAF has witnessed how its
cluster monthly Shrjadarts or its inter-village transportation system
created a few months ago has made an uplifting impact on the
villagers,” cited the speaker.
Dr. Armen also mentioned that what makes COAF’s program so strong in
accomplishments and sustainable results is its ability to mobilize
larger resources and engage other organizations in the implementation
of its program. Getting special recognition in his speech were the
organizations, with which COAF partnered for the implementation of
the first integrated rural development program: UNDP, USAID and the
World Bank, along with a dozen other partners. More importantly, Dr.
Armen stressed COAF’s partnership with the local municipality and
general population, highlighting the importance of community
participation, community ownership, and learning from the community.
# # # # #
–Boundary_(ID_z1CyNJp3NnI1A18xjpiGCQ)–

AZERI PRESIDENT URGES TURKEY TO JOINTLY CRUSH ARMENIAN PROPAGANDA
ARMINFO News Agency
September 18, 2006 Monday
During the X Congress of Friendship, Brotherhood and Cooperation of
Turkic States and Organizations, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev urged
Turkey to jointly crush the Armenian propaganda.
He said that instead of withdrawing its troops from Azerbaijan Armenia
is laying territorial claims against Turkey. “It is time for Turkic
states to pool their political, diplomatic, legal and military efforts
to crush the Armenian propaganda. We will not allow them to create
second Armenian state in the territory of Azerbaijan. We will liberate
our occupied territories and Azerbaijan and Turkey must cooperate
to this end, first of all, on a Diaspora level. We must oppose the
Armenians’ activities not only in Azerbaijan and Turkey but all over
the world,” Aliyev said.

PanARMENIAN.Net
Does Technical Plan of Deployment of Peacekeepers in Karabakh Already Exist?
15.09.2006 16:06 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The project on deployment of peacekeepers in the
zone of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is practically ready. The
contingent will include representatives of EU armed forces, the Echo
newspaper writes. In the words of Finnish Ambassador to South Caucasus
states Terhi Hakala, the opportunity of present of an initial plan of
deployment is not ruled out. «Speaking of it is hard, as there is no
political decision,» she noted.
In his turn Azeri political scientist and head of public forum Eldar
Namazov believes that serious discussion of the issue of deployment of
peacekeepers is premature today. «Deployment of the troops is expected
only after Azerbaijan and Armenia sign a peace agreement. The
technical plan of deployment was already worked out in 90s of the past
century. As the front line has not changed much since then, it can be
assumed that the technical plan exists since that time,» he stated.
At the same time Chief of the Press and PR Department of the Azeri MFA
Tahir Tagizade noted that even if such plan exists today, we know
nothing of it.

TOURISM: AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR ARMENIA
Emil Danielyan
EurasiaNet, NY
9/14/06
Officials in Yerevan say Armenia will welcome a record-high number
of travelers to the small South Caucasus nation this year, with
ethnic Armenians from Europe and the United States accounting for
the majority of visitors.
The sector, increasingly important for the Armenian economy, expanded
considerably in recent years after being declared a top economic
priority by the Armenian government. Officials estimate that it now
generates about 7 percent of Gross Domestic Product.
According to Mekhak Apresian, head of the tourism department at the
Armenian Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, the number of
tourists is on course to reach more than 350,000 in 2006, or nearly
twice the figure reported in 2003. “I think we will approach the
400,000 mark this year,” Apresian told EurasiaNet. The authorities’
target of attracting half a million visitors in 2010, set by President
Robert Kocharian in July, is therefore “realistic,” he said.
There is strong factual and anecdotal evidence in support of this
data. Flights to and from Yerevan and local hotels are almost fully
booked now, despite the increased cost of travel to Armenia. “There
has definitely been growth in this area,” said Ani Aslanian, a young
and soft-spoken sales manager at Armenia Marriott Hotel, the largest
in the country.
“There are a lot more people visiting Armenia nowadays.”
Aslanian expects to be busy not only in September, the traditional
peak period for tourism in Armenia, but also in the coming
months. Off-season occupancy rates at the four-star hotel, she
explained, are now much higher than they were in the past, with far
more people staying there in winter and early spring.
This is certainly good news for the growing number of local travel
firms and retailers that cater to foreigners. Travel agents and
government officials believe that much of the anticipated growth
in tourism will come from those Westerners that have no Armenian
roots. “The growth in the number of non-Armenian tourists is faster
than that of Diaspora Armenian ones,” said Apresian. He added that
although the latter still make up about two-thirds of the visitors,
their share in the overall influx is slowly but steadily falling.
Spending a holiday in Armenia is becoming increasingly popular
among the Diasporans (and Armenian Americans in particular), who
are keen to rediscover their ethnic identity. What brings other
foreigners, typically aged above 40, is less certain. The landlocked
mountainous country has no world-famous beaches, medieval towns or
other conventional tourist spots. What Armenia can offer instead are
ancient monasteries, underlining its status as the first nation that
had adopted Christianity as a state religion in 301 AD.
Marriott’s Aslanian regularly deals with groups of mostly middle-aged
Americans and Europeans who want to learn more about eastern Christian
civilizations, and Armenian history and culture in particular. “These
are people who have been to many popular tourist destinations and
want to discover something new, something unusual,” she said.
This cultural, historical and religious aspect is the main emphasis
of tourism development programs approved by the Armenian government
each year. One such program adopted in December 2004 called for an
“aggressive” promotion of Armenia’s image abroad. This approach is
reflected in an upcoming visit to Yerevan by a delegation of as many
as 160 French travel agents and journalists. The delegation’s visit,
organized within the context of The Year of Armenia in France,
is considered so important that it was an agenda topic during a
government cabinet meeting on September 7.
Armenian officials will soon launch an advertising campaign on the
US-based cable news outlet, CNN International, to promote Armenia as
a travel destination. Apresian, the tourism department chief, insisted
that the undisclosed lump sum paid to CNN for the four-month deal will
be worth it. “The idea is to present Armenia as a peaceful and secure
country which has a rich heritage and is home to hospitable people,”
he said. “Armenia’s [post-Soviet] image abroad has been one of a hot
spot, a conflict zone. We have to change it.”
But industry executives say promotional campaigns like this will
not have desired effects unless the government does more do address
weaknesses hampering the sector’s development. One of them is a
continuing lack of inexpensive lodging, which allows the existing
hotels to set prices that are widely seen as disproportionately high
for a country like Armenia.
Air travel to Armenia is similarly pricey, despite more frequent
flight services between Yerevan and major European capitals. The high
costs of visiting are hardly an enticement for budget travelers,
and luring them in large numbers, analysts say, is vital for the
long-term development of the Armenian tourism industry.
Editor’s Note: Emil Danielyan is a Yerevan-based journalist and
political analyst.