Author: Ekmekjian Janet

Azeri pressure group set to stage peace march to Karabakh
Space TV, Baku
8 Apr 04

[Presenter] The Karabakh Liberation Organization will stage a peace
march to the Azerbaijani town of Susa [Armenian-occupied Shushi], the
head of the organization, Akif Nagi, has said.
[Correspondent over video of news conference] The Karabakh Liberation
Organization took a decision to stage a march back last year. It is
planned to start the march from Baku on 8 May this year, on the day
Susa was occupied. It will take the participants 15 days to march to
the front line and then to Susa. Karabakh veterans, refugees,
displaced persons, members of the intelligentsia and others will take
part in the march. Human rights activists, representatives of the
embassies of UN Security Council member countries, journalists and
representatives of foreign companies will be invited to take part in
the march as observers.
The main objective of the march is to persuade the UN to recognize
Armenia as an aggressor and impose sanctions on it. Nagi said that if
international organizations really wanted to ensure peace in the
region, then Armenia should be recognized as an aggressor.
Seyran Mammadov and Farhad Babayev, Space.

PRESS OFFICE
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; [email protected] Website;
HOLY RESURRECTION AND OURSELVES
Every season, when the Feast of the Pascha approaches, the account of
St Mark’s Gospel of the Holy Resurrection of our Lord becomes the
theme of my contemplation. According to the account the oil bearing
women visit the sepulcher of the Master, thinking on the way “Who
shall remove the stone of the tomb for us”? To their amazement the
tomb was empty. They were frustrated for the fact of the Resurrection
was unbelievable and eventually they believed by seeingthe Risen
Christ. 2004 years have elapsed since those days and every time face
to face with the luminous feast of Resurrection, it is worth to ask
ourselves what has changed within us and does the resurrection of
Christ have any significance for us?
How true are the words of British politician Gladstone when he says
“Nowadays the felicity of humanity does not depend on politics. The
real battle occurs in the realm of intellect, where the deadly
inthusion takes place on the most precious treasure of humanity. That
is on the faith, which leads us to God and to the Gospel of Christ”.
Any political system or rule could have no effect on the society if it
was not ready inwardly to accept them. Therefore all loses and
success, failures and achievements born within us and then being put
in action, whereof the act becomes a fact the true mirror of our
thinking or feeling.
Having said so we realize that the Pascha comes to pass us over, to
renew permanently in our lives, in thinking and in the way of
living. God loves us the way we are but He loves us too much to leave
us the way we are. Specially for our Holy Church in Canada, I would
desire to see and feel new breath and new vivacity as a living truth
who shall protect and lead our people by the truth of the Gospel and
the Orthodox faith.
After the Lord’s Resurrection we see His physical empty tomb. Just us
the angel proclaimed the glad tiding of the Resurrection, we also may
say with confidence and faith
CHRIST IS RISEN
On this victorious day of Holy Resurrection on behalf of our people in
Canada, I would love to extend my filial love and wishes to our
beloved spiritual Father His Holiness Karekin II asking for his
blessings. May the Mother Seeof Holy Etchmiadzin, our Holy home, shine
forever by the guidance of Vehapar Hayrapet.
Our love and congratulations to the Diocesan Clergy, Diocesan Council,
Parish Councils, Church Choirs, Ladies Guild and the ACYOC, CYMA, all
the Auxiliary Bodies, to the Delegates, Diocesan Stuff, to our
Benefactors, who through their dedication prove the reality of
Resurrection.
Our love and congratulations to our sister churches, organizations,
unions, political parties, to the Armenian school and to our entire
beloved people seniors and juniors, elderly and youth. To those who
through their heroic devotion render their time, intellect and
financial input towards the prosperity of our Holy Church and brave
nation-turning their lives into true Resurrection.
Eventually the first and the most to You I raise my prayer my
RisenLord and Savior Jesus Christ, Beautiful and Desirable Name. You
are the Guide of my life. I yearn to meet You on the day of the
universal Resurrection when youwill come with all your glory and
might. Shed a brim of Your Resurrection in me and continue bless me,
so that by your help and guidance I may dedicate myself to the
longevity of my people and be able to repeat
DO NOT FEAR
“Christ is Risen
Blessed is His Resurrection”
Amen, Amen.
With love and prayer,
Bishop Bagrat Galstanian
Primate

UK Newsquest Regional Press – This is Wiltshire
April 7, 2004
Treat promised for chamber music lovers
CHAMBER music lovers will have a rare treat when American-based The
Performing Arts Trio of Pennsylvania gives its first recital in
Salisbury next Wednesday 7.30pm at Salisbury Cathedral School.
The trio consisting of violin clarinet and piano has put together a
programme of 20th century music.
Sophie Till violinist and daughter of the Dean of Winchester
explains: “Our recital opens with Milhaud’s Suite and then moves to
Bartok’s Contrasts commissioned by jazz clarinettist Benny Goodman
and violinist Joseph Szigeti. The duo requested a work in the style
of Bartok’s violin Rhapsodies.
“Khachaturian’s Trio in G minor displays the composer’s Armenian
heritage through his use of folk and dance music styles.
“Finally we end with Hause’s Labyrinth of Flames crafted as a poem
which should leave the listeners with food for thought.”
Canon Jeremy Davies chairman of the choral foundation is grateful to
the trio performing on the 14th in order to raise funds for the girl
choristers’ current tour to Sweden. Playing with Sophie Till is
Maureen Hurd on clarinet and Muriel Phillips on piano.
Admission to the recital is free but there will be a retiring
collection.

Armenian National Committee of Albany
7 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12205
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
April 7, 2004
Contact: Antranig Karageozian
[email protected]
ANC OF ALBANY TO SPONSOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION EVENTS IN
UPSTATE NEW YORK
ALBANY, NY–A series of events commemorating the 89th Anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide are being organized in Albany this year, reported the
Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Albany.
On Friday, April 23, 2004, at 6:30 pm, the ANC along with the Armenian
American community of upstate New York, will gather at Troy Monument Square
to remember the 1.5 million Armenians that were massacred in the Ottoman
Empire from 1915 to 1923.
Among those joining the community will be Harry Tutunjian, mayor of Troy,
New York, who will present a mayoral proclamation declaring April 24, 2004,
Armenian Martyrs Day. In addition, proclamations from the State of New York
and the cities of Albany and Watervliet will be presented in commemoration
of the Armenian Genocide.
Following the program at Troy Monument Square, there will be a memorial
dinner and slide show hosted by the Homenetmen Albany chapter and the ANC.
This event will take place at the John Sarkis Auditorium at Holy Cross
Armenian Apostolic Church on 101 Spring Avenue in Troy.
On Saturday, April 24, 2004, at 5 pm, the ANC of Albany will show
“Discovering my Father’s Village,” a documentary on the Armenian Genocide by
Apo Torossian at Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church. After the movie,
“Stepan and his band” will perform a concert of Armenian revolutionary songs
for the audience.
On Sunday April 25, 2004, there will be a Memorial Service in memory of the
victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide. The Service will be held at
Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church. Following church services, there will
be a presentation by the Albany Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Shoushi
Chapter.
“We truly believe that the series of events we have organized will further
the Armenian cause in upstate New York,” stated ANC of Albany co-chairman
Leo Ohanian. “These events are meant to remember our past and to better
enlighten individuals on an important aspect of Armenian History.”
All commemoration events are free and open to the public. Further
information can be obtained by contacting Antranig Karageozian at
[email protected].
The Armenian National Committee is the largest Armenian American grassroots
political organization in New York and nationwide. The ANC actively advances
a broad range of issues of concern to the Armenian American community.
####

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
April 6, 2004 Tuesday
Russia, Iran interested in railroad cooperation
By Sergei Zakharov and Ravil Musin
TEHRAN
Iranian Minister of Roads and Transport Ahmad Khoram and visiting
president of the company Russian Railroads Gennady Fadeyev, at a
meeting on Tuesday, expressed interest of Russia and Iran in
cooperation in the sphere of transport and railroad construction.
Fadeyev arrived in Iran for talks about cooperation in railroad
transport and creating the international North-South transport
corridor.
The president of the Russian company specially emphasized that the
volume of railroad transportation between the two countries increased
54 percent last year, compared with 2002.
After the formation of the international transport corridor this
indicator is expected to double, to reach 8 million tonnes a year.
Gennady Fadeyev noted a mutually advantageous character of this
cooperation and its good prospects.
Ahmad Khoram also noted the importance of developing interaction in
the sphere of railroad transport and setting up the North-South
international corridor.
He expressed the hope that relations between the two neighboring
countries will continue to developing, including in this sphere.
Russia, Iran and India are the founders of the international
transport corridor. Kazakhstan and Belarus have officially joined the
ITC.
Oman, Tajikistan, Armenia, Syria, Sweden, Finland, Azerbaijan, and
Bulgaria display interest in it. ITC potential cargo flows by 2010
are estimated at 30 to 50 million tonnes a year.

A1 Plus | 13:35:00 | 02-04-2004 | Social |
NEW NEWSPAPER IN KARABAKH
A new newspaper, “Demo” is published in Nagorno Karabakh. It is published by
Britain grant.
According to Thomas de Waal, Coordinator of Caucasian project of
International Institute of War and Peace Reporting, publication of a new
newspaper in Nagorno Karabakh is a proof of a sound society.
—

Azat Artsakh – Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (NKR)
April 1, 2004
KARABAKH SCIENTIST – INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY MEMBER
Recently the title of academician of the International Academy of
Health and Ecology was conferred on the professor at Artsakh State
University, candidate of sciences in veterinary medicine Aramayis
Aghassian. A. Aghassian deserved the attention of the international
academy due to working as reporter to the journal of the academy for
more than 3 years, as well as many of his works published abroad and
his 5 books. On the basis of work already done he is going to defend
his doctoral thesis. Of the surveys conducted by A. Aghassian we were
especially interested in his research on the blood groups of the
people of Karabakh and the hemodynamic rates of physical growth of
children, teenagers and young people. The findings of his research
show that the rates of the growth of a large part of our children are
lower the standards, the improvement of which requires social and
other types of interference.
SVETLANA KHACHATRIAN.

United Nations Development Programme Country Office in Armenia
14, Karl Liebknecht Street, Yerevan 375010, Armenia
Contact: Aramazd Ghalamkaryan
Tel: (374 1) 56 60 73
Fax: (374 1) 54 38 11
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
UNDP COUNTRY OFFICE IN ARMENIA
24 March, 2004
UNDP SUPPORTS THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE TO ORGANISE AN INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE AND TO STRENGTHEN ITS COMMUNICATIONS CAPACITY
Yerevan, Armenia
Today, the Government of Armenia and the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) opened the Information and Training Centre at the
Ministry of Agriculture and signed a Memorandum of Understanding
outlining the support that UNDP will provide for the `First Agro-Forum’
International Conference. Mr. Samvel Avetisyan, Deputy Minister of
Agriculture of the Republic of Armenia and Ms. Lise Grande, UN Resident
Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative presided over the event.
By supporting the Information and Training Centre, UNDP is assisting the
Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen its capacity in information
management. Internet services will be provided at the Information
Centre, helping the Ministry access the most up-to-date and important
information on agricultural issues from around the world, and training
will be conducted to ensure that Ministry staff have advanced
information skills.
In addition to supporting the establishment of the new Centre, UNDP is
also supporting the country’s `First Agro-Forum’ International
Conference, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture. The aim of this
important conference is to promote agricultural development in Armenia
by introducing the most progressive and innovative agricultural methods
from around the world. An official website is being developed for the
Conference and an information campaign will be conducted. The fourth
`AgroProdExpo’ International Exhibition will be held at the same time as
the Conference.
According to Ms. Grande: `The development of agriculture in Armenia
cannot be underestimated. A large part of the population lives in rural
communities and agriculture is the main source of income for many
Armenian families. By strengthening the capacities of the Ministry of
Agriculture and helping to promote agricultural development, we are
helping to reduce poverty and inequality in Armenia. We hope that the
Ministry staff will use this new Information Centre to successfully
communicate with the general public, including the mass media.’
Mr. Avetisian noted: `Our cooperation with UNDP has a long history, and
we are grateful that resolution of the problems raised by the Ministry
is always supported by our counterpart. The Information Centre, the
network and the website will promote the Ministry of Agriculture
worldwide, and we are confident that this will help us forge effective
partnerships with international and local organisations, bilateral
donors, foreign governments and private companies.’
The `First Agro-Forum’ International Conference and the fourth
`AgroProdExpo’ International Exhibition will be held in Yerevan on
October 28-29, 2004.
***
UNDP is the UN’s global development network. It advocates for change and
connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people
build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with
them on their own solutions to global and national development
challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of
UNDP and our wide range of partners.
***
For further information, please contact Mr. Aramazd Ghalamkaryan, UNDP
Armenia at [email protected].
***

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
March 24, 2004, Wednesday
A COMPROMISE IS BETTER THAN A VICTORY
SOURCE: Nezavisimaya Gazeta, March 22, 2004, p. 10
by Vladimir Kazimirov
Ambassador Vladimir Nikolayevich Kazimirov: head of Russia’s
mediatory mission in 1992-1996; presidential envoy for Nagorny
Karabakh; co-chairman of the Minsk OSCE group.
Negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan are again at the
crossroads. Two foreign ministers will soon discuss what to do with
this process.
Settling of the Karabakh conflict has become irrational owing to the
maximalism of the conflicting sides. Negotiations held in 1994-1997
were not very fruitful. The conflicting sides rejected proposals by
the Minsk OSCE group three times; 20 meetings held by the presidents
of Azerbaijan and Armenia in 1999-2002 did not solve the problem
either. Negotiations were suspended for six months on the plea of
elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan. It seems that at present nothing
prevent negotiations. But it turned out that the positions of the
conflicting sides have become more uncompromising than before. First
moves made by the new president of Azerbaijan are very contradictory.
He has repeatedly promised to recover the lost territories. At the
same time, he supports peaceful methods, and all bellicose statements
are made by the defense minister. Ilham Aliyev refused to hold
negotiations with Robert Kocharyan in the current format. He states
that the process of negotiations should be speeded up. He said that
he does not needed compromises (he probably hopes to dictate his
conditions of peaceful settlement of the conflict). In the meantime,
Yerevan does not want to resume negotiations with the new president
(who is the son of the former president) and proposes to invite
Stepanakert to negotiations.
The absolute incompatibility of approaches and unwillingness to make
compromises are the cause of a long stagnation of negotiations. As a
matter of fact, the conflicting sides seek after the impossible:
Armenia wants Azerbaijan to acknowledge the independence of Nagorny
Karabakh, or make it part of Armenia; Azerbaijan demands that Armenia
leave Nagorny Karabakh (by the way, Azerbaijan does not make a
mention about this territory’s status after Armenia’s withdrawal).
Armenia does not understand that people who give up Nagorny Karabakh
will not live long in Baku. Azerbaijan does not understand that
Armenia will only leave this territory if tension decreases. Baku
relies on oil proceeds, propaganda and exterior pressure on Armenia.
A cold war against Armenia stops all contacts between the nations.
It’s natural that progress is impossible while the conflicting sides
use previous schemes. A break-through is required. The tenth
anniversary of the armistice (May 12, 2004) gives a chance to improve
the situation. This is a very good pretext to organize a meeting of
the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in order to confirm the
armistice. Would such a gesture be useful? This move would make it
possible to resume a dialogue, taking into account the fact that the
psychological core of the conflict boils down to mutual distrust.
The conflicting sides need a stable mechanism of regular negotiations
between authorized delegations. The agenda of negotiations can be
open. Negotiations should develop in three parallel directions.
Firstly, the conflicting sides must get rid of the cause of the
conflict (security and the status of Nagorny Karabakh for a period of
transition). Secondly, the sides must eliminate the aftermath of the
conflict (the withdrawal of troops and return of refugees). Thirdly,
Azerbaijan and Armenia must relax tension and improve their
relations. It would be very difficult to advance in the former two
directions, which is why the sides must focus on the third one. At
present Armenia and Azerbaijan cannot solve even the simplest
problems.
A summit of the presidents and resumption of sound negotiations would
let the conflicting sides to advance to a peaceful solution. This
scheme does not contain aspects with which the conflicting sides
cannot put up. In addition, the conflicting sides must control their
propagandistic sources. Their role in the current processes is very
harmful for new generations.
(…)
Translated by Alexander Dubovoi

Cyprus MPs urge AGBU to reconsider Melkonian closure
The Financial Mirror – Nicosia
March 24, 2004
Members of the House of Representatives Education Committee urged the
Armenian General Benevolent Union Tuesday to reconsider its plans to
close the Melkonian school in June 2005 and asked that it remain open
until all the present students graduate.
Deputies from all parties, headed by Committee Chairman Prodromos
Prodromou, grilled the AGBU’s global representative, Gordon Anderson,
over plans to close the school.
He stated firmly that the House considers the Melkonian a place of
Armenian education and a part of the cultural and national heritage of
Cyprus.
The Committee Chairman issued a stern warning to the AGBU to delay a
final decision and consider resuming negotiatiosn with the Cyprus
community and others, such as the local alumni association, over the
school’s future.
Prodormou said that in the worst case, all presently enrolled students
should be allowed to complete their education, stating that otherwise
the Cyprus parliament would view the unilateral decision as a hostile
act.
Prodromou also asked the AGBU to inform the House of its immediate
plans on the future of the school, in response to explanations given
by Anderson, claiming that the `AGBU does not intend to sell the
buildings, and instead is considering alternative options.’
DISY MP Ionas Nicolaou and fellow lawmaker Nicos Tornaritis were not
impressed by the explanation given, reminding the AGBU representative
that the two main buildings were in the process of being declared
national heritage buildings, which in any event does not allow their
destruction.
`This is outrageous,’ Tornaritis said, raising his voice to the AGBU
delegates.
Nicolaou was highly critical of the strong-arm tactics used by the
AGBU to quash any opposition to the closure plan, by preventing local
Board members from expressing their dissatisfaction over the plans.
MPs were unimpressed by Anderson’s explanations that the AGBU is
considering turning the Melkonian either into a day-school, or enter
into partnership with another school or establish an Armenian
department within another school.
`I call on you (AGBU) to immediately inform the House of your plans,
since at stake is the future education of 200 students and we don’t
wish to see this uncertain situation continuing any longer,’ said
Committee Chairman Prodromou.
A scathing attack unleashed by Anderson against Armenian
Representative, Bedros Kalaydjian who had brought the issue before the
Committee also backfired after many MPs voiced their displeasure.
`I call on you to show respect,’ Kalaydjian told Anderson when the
AGBU’s American official attempted to distort facts presented by Nareg
Elementary Schools board Chairman, Dr. Vahak Atamyan, who had earlier
testified that most of this year’s graduating class of 22 pupils had
expressed an interest to enroll at the Melkonian.
Masis Der Parthogh, representing the interests of the Cyprus Alumni
and the Parents Coordinating Committee informed deputies regarding the
AGBU’s reluctance to enter into a dialogue with the worldwide
Melkonian Alumni towards finding an acceptable solution, adding that
the network of alumni associations is prepared to take charge of the
school.
He asked the House to declare the Melkonian a national heritage
foundation following the decision by the EU to recognise the Armenian
language as one of the 54 languages of the Union, which Cyprus will
join on May 1, and asked the MPs to call on the Ministry of Education
to intervene in the whole affair.
Der Parthogh’s call for the House to back a proposal submitted by the
Green party to consider altering the current zoning of all the
school’s lands, from commercial to green, was received warmly.
AKEL and DIKO MPs promised that they would seriously consider
submiting a draft bill changing the zoning status of the Melkonian
property, in the event that the AGBU did not come back with fresh
proposals to find an acceptable solution.
The Cyprus Alumni has repeatedly warned that the real motive behind
AGBU’s decision to close the Melkonian is to sell the land and whisk
up to CYP 40 mln out of the country for use for unspecified purposes.