Author: Elizabeth Jabejian

Interfax, Russia
Nov 16 2004
Armenian-Iranian pipeline project put back to year-end
Yerevan. (Interfax) – Construction of the Armenian stretch of the
Iran – Armenia gas pipeline will not now begin until December this
year, the Armenian Energy Ministry told Interfax.
Work on the Armenian stretch of the pipeline was due to start late
October, but was delayed because preparations were not complete.
The ministry said dignitaries from Iran and Armenia would attend a
ceremony to mark the beginning of the project in December close to
the Armenian city of Meghri. It is expected that the first two
kilometers of the Meghri – Kajaran pipeline will be built. Iran’s
Sanir will lay the pipeline.
An official at Gazprom said last week that the Russian gas giant was
considering a role in the construction of a gas pipeline from Iran to
Armenia. But the Armenian ministry said this was unlikely as the
project does not promise high returns.
Iran signed a deal to supply Armenia with 36 billion cubic meters
(bcm) of gas per year over 20 years with the possibility of extending
this by five years and gas supplies to 47 bcm in May this year.
Work on Iran’s 100-km stretch began in June. The Iranian Export and
Development Bank set aside $30 million to finance the Armenian
stretch.
It will cost a total of $210 million-$220 million to build the new
pipeline and renovate the existing Kajaran – Yerevan pipeline.
Iranian gas should start reaching Armenia by January 2007. All of the
gas will be used by power stations to generate electricity, some of
which will be exported to Iran and some of which will be consumed in
Armenia itself.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GIBRAHAYER
e-newsletter
[email protected]
http: //gibrahayer.cyprusnewsletter.com
The largest circulation Armenian
online e-newsletter on the WWW
MELKONIAN CYPRUS ALUMNI VOW TO FIGHT ON
=E2=80=A2 Fiery speech by guest of honour Jack Melkonian
=E2=80=A2 Melkonian students shamelessly forced indoors
=E2=80=A2 5,000 CYP pledged in a fund-raiser
(Nicosia – November 10 – Cyprus Alumni press release): More than 300
Melkoniantsis and friends turned up for the Cyprus Alumni lunch on Sunday,
November 7, also attended by a delegation from the Lebanon Alumni.
The biggest absence was that of the present-day Melkonian students who were
shamelessly forced indoors and not allowed to take part in an event that
aims to save their school.
Rev. Fr. Der Mashdotz blessed those present, after which the guest of
honour, Jack Melkonian, gave a fiery speech, condemning the actions of the
AGBU Central Board to close down the school his great uncles built 78 years
ago.
“This financial institution (the AGBU) is NOT the owner of the school — you
are, the Armenian Community and the Diaspora,” Jack said, with the crowd
roaring to applause.
He talked about his contacts with the AGBU executives and the deception
about the true plans about the Melkonian school. “Little did I know we would
come to this when I was here last for the school=E2=80=99s 75th anniversary,=
” said
Jack Melkonian, adding that he would help in the struggle to keep the
Melkonian open, as this has tremendous potential for the future generation
of Armenians.
The first prize was a gold ring donated by Avakian Jewelers of London and
Geneva, drawn from the entrance ticket. Some 30 other prizes, including
jewelery, airline tickets, electronic equipment and vouchers from shops and
restaura nts were drawn from the 3000 lottery tickets that were nearly
sold-out.
Cash donations and pledges are expected to exceed CYP 5,000.
The Alumni will be making an official announcement shortly with the full
financial details of the fundraiser.
ARMENIAN BEAUTY ANUSH GRIGORIAN 19, CROWNED QUEEN OF TOURISM 2004 IN CHINA
( )The Goris teenager (who was runner up for Miss Armenia
2003) was chosen over more than 30 other beauties in the competition that is
part of a tourism expo held for the past 11 years.
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 Since independence, Armenian girls have entered d=
ozens of pageants,
but this is the first time one has come home with the top prize.
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 =E2=80=9CAll this was so unexpected to me,=E2=80=
=9D said excited Anush upon her
return to Armenia. =E2=80=9CI took part in the contest very unexpectedly bei=
ng late
for 10 days, and my victory, just like my participation was a surprise.=E2=
=80=9D
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 For winning, Miss Tourism 2004 receives $10,000 a=
nd a cup made of
China porcelain. Second place went to a girl from Singapore, third to
Estonia and fourth, to Russia.
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 Anush says she was proud to be Armenia=E2=80=99s=20=
ambassador in China.
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 =E2=80=9CMy victory made many learn about Armenia=
, that it was the first to
adopt Christianity and is attractive for visiting,=E2=80=9D she says. =E2=
=80=9CBesides we
were representing our values. I was the face of Armenia, but even the name
of our country was unknown to many, and everybody was asking me where
Armenia is.=E2=80=9D
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 Contestants were judged on appearance, ability to=
communicate (Anush
speaks four languages), and other merits.
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 The beauty queen, a student at Brusov State Lingu=
istics University,
says pageants are just a hobby for her, and that upon her graduation she=E2=
=80=99ll
pursue her major interest, journalism.
AZERI OFFICER KILLED IN LATEST BORDER CLASH
Associated Press Worldstream – November 8, 2004 Monday BAKU, Azerbaijan —
An Azerbaijani army officer was killed in firing along the no man’s land
separating the country’s military from ethnic Armenian forces in
Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding territory, Defense Ministry spokesman Ilgar
Verdieyv said Monday.
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 He said the officer died Sunday in the Agdam regi=
on. Agdam is a
destroyed, deserted city within territory occupied by ethnic Armenian
forces.
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 Armenian forces drove the Azerbaijani army out of=
Nagorno-Karabakh,
an ethnic Armenian enclave, in the 1990s and took control of several areas
outside the enclave as well. Since a 1994 cease-fire, the sides have been
separated by the so-called “line of control,” a demilitarized buffer zone,
but occasional shooting breaks out and each side accuses the other of
mounting small incursions.
NEWS IN BRIEF
*The trial of Azeri officer Ramil Safarov, who committed the=C2=A0 brutal mu=
rder
of Armenian officer Gurgen Margarian, will start in Budapest on November 23
in Budapest.
*The exodus continues. In the first eight months of 2004, 497,000 people
left the country against 450,000 who entered. Compared to 2003, the
emigration rate is up by 38% accounting for 13,000 new emigrants.
*The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Summer Studies Institute, a three-week
program with intensive lessons in Armenian language, history, and
literature, will be held from June 5-June 25, 2005, at the University of
Connecticut campus in Storrs.
*Military cooperation between the United States and Armenia will expand
regardless of the outcome of the presidential elections in America, Armenian
Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian said taking questions from journalists in
Yerevan on Wednesday.
*Chief of the state-run Russian Railway Company Gennady Fadeev said while
visiting Yerevan last month that the railway route linking Russia with
Armenia via Georgia can be put into operation within a year.
*The World Committee of the Pan-Armenian Games has requested that the
Armenian communities preparing to send teams for the 4th Pan-Armenian Games
should submit information on the sports categories in which they would like
and are able to participate. Gorik Hakopian – the former Deputy Direc tor of
Armenia’s National Security Service – has been appointed by President
Kocharian as the new chief of Armenia’s National Security Service.
This corner is reserved for local artist Tatiana Ferahian’s comic strips
which are amalgamations of Armenian-Cypriot social commentaries, painted
with her usual wry and ironic humour, to stimulate and encourage awareness
and interest toward our community’s everyday happenings.
(please visit ) to view cartoon strips
CD OF THE WEEK
Iakovos Kolanian was born in Greece in 1960, to an Armenian father and a
Greek mother. At the age of 13, influenced by the musical currents of the
time (pop, rock, as well as classical) he started his musical journey that
eventually led him to the National Conservatory of Athens. There, he studied
classical guitar with noted professors Evangelos Assimakopoulos and Lisa
Zoe, and graduated in 1985 with the top award and a special honor for
exceptional performance. Since that time, he has attended various special
seminars and master classes in Greece and abroad, broadening his knowledge
of the instrument from distinguished teachers such as Oscar Ghilia and Leo
Brouwer.
Throughout the years he has toured in Europe, Asia and Latin America, where
he has presented to audiences a large part of the classical guitar
repertoire. He also regularly takes part in important international
festivals (Vienna, Milan, Athens, Israel, Cyprus and Yerevan) by giving
individual recitals or acting as soloist with symphonic orchestras and
ensembles of chamber music. He has performed as a soloist with Athens State
Orchestra, Thessalonica State Orchestra, Symphonic Orchestra of Greek
Broadcasting Corporation (ERT), The Camerata Orchestra of Athens, Armenian
Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as with numerous ensembles of chamber music.
He has been regularly featured in well-known television and radio programs
such as BBC, ORF, Radio France, ERT, RIK. One of these collaborations, in
1991, resulted in the recording and release of a CD of Loris Tjeknavoria n’s
Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra with the Armenian Philharmonic
Orchestra?with the composer himself as the conductor in a production of the
Austrian Television (ORF).
Most recently, in 2003, Kolanian’s recording of the Lute Suites of J.S.Bach
was released on the Eros label to critical acclaim.
In addition to his career as a soloist and recording artist, Iakovos
Kolanian has been the head of the Classical Guitar Department at the
Contemporary Athens Conservatory since 1992, and is an honorary professor at
the Armenian Academy in Yerevan.
Special Offer: If you mention this newsletter, ARP will give a 15% discount
on your first total order! The CD can be purchased for $15.00 USD. add $2.00
for US shipping. & $1.00 for all foreign orders.
For more details: visit or email=C2=A0 atopouzian@arpmusic.=
com
Donation: To the AYMA Music Library.
g i b r a h a y=C2=A0 =C2=A0 c a l e n d a r
*AYMA Food Bazaar. Click on the following link to view images from the
event: click on Vie=
w
pictures
*Pre-Championship Friendly Football match between AYMA and Coopers on
November 13, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. at the Grounds of the English School,
Strovolos – Nicosia
*Lecture at T he Nareg Armenian School Hall of Larnaca, organised by The
Larnaca Armenian Club on Friday 12 November at 7:00 p.m. “Acupuncture” by
Razmig Azezian (specialised in China) from Beirut – Lebanon.
*Lecture at The Armenian Prelature Vahram Utudjian Hall – Nicosia. Organised
by A.Y.M.A. on Saturday 13 November at 7:00 p.m. “Acupuncture” by Razmig
Azezian (specialised in China) from Beirut – Lebanon.
*Jashgerouyt / Khraghjank at AYMA Saturday November 13, 2004, at 8:30 p.m.
Live Armenian music. Family atmosphere. Sign up with the members of the
committee. Limited seats available as the event is indoors.
*A.G.B.U Women’s Auxiliary Body. Armenian Food Bazaar. Sunday 14 November,
2004 starting from 12:00 lunch time at AGBU club premises.
*8th Exhibition of Armenian Books, under the auspices of Archbishop Varoujan
Hergelian, organised by the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus, with the
participation of Moufflon Bookstore. Opening Ceremony on Wednesday 17
November 2004 at 8:00 p.m. at Vahram Utudjian Hall of the Armenian Prelature
in Nicosia. You can visit the Exhibition every day from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
& 5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. except weekends. The exhibition will also travel to
Larnaca and Limassol.
*Shnorahantes of the book “The Armenian Church in Cyprus”, during the
opening ceremony of the Armenian Book Exhibition. The book will be presented
by Vartan Tashdjian.
*Holy Mass and Madaghornhnoutiun on Sunday 21 November 2004 on the
celebration day of Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church in Nicosia.
*Aghorhnek at 4:00 p.m. and Hsgoum at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday 20 November
2004.
*Traditional Preparation of Madagh on Saturday 20 November, 2004 starting
from 4:00 p.m. at Nare g School’s Canteen. Hyourasiroutiun to follow. Open
for all. On the occasion of Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church Day, you can make your
donations by calling the Armenian Prelature on 22 493560 or emailing
[email protected]
*Armenian Relief Society “Sosse” Chapter Fund Raising Tea for the ARS
Armenia Projects on Sunday 28 November, 2004 at The Holiday Inn Hotel at
4:00 p.m. Our children will participate in a Fashion Show by GRANT. There
will be Handicraft, Lebanese cookies and home-made delicacies on sale.
Proceeds to the “Sosse” Kindergarten of Stepanakert – Republic of Karabagh.
*Annual General Meeting of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) on Sunday 21
November 2004 at 6:30 p.m. at AYMA.
*AYF Badanegan Miaoutian get-togethers have begun and will continue every
Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at AYMA. Contact Vartoog Karageulian on 24-659245.
*AYMA Chicco Football practices – now in their fifth week – have begun and
are taking place every Friday from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m children starting from
the age of 7. Contact Krikor Mahdessian on 99650897.AYMA Table Tennis
practices have also begun and will continue every Saturday from 6:00 – 9:00
p.m under the expert guidance of ex-Cyprus Champion Sirvart Costanian.
Classes and practice session for all ages.
*AYMA Football team practices are taking place every Tuesday and Thursday at
9:00 p.m. A.Y.M.A. will be participating in the Second Division Amateur
Football League and will be bidding for the Championship Title and
subsequent promotion to Division One. The Championship begins on Saturday
November 27, 2004.
*Marie Louise Kouyoumdjian sings @ Champs every Friday at at 9:30 p.m. For
reservations call 22873888.
*Bible Study Group organised by The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus. The Group
meets at the Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church on Armenia street, Nicosia. To
receive further details please call Father Momik Habeshian on 99 307966 or
at the Prelature office on 22 493560 email [email protected]
*AYMA Annual Ball at Hilton Park on January 8, 2004 featuring ANDRE.
Reservations a MUST! Book early.
*If you happen to be in London on Friday, 12th November don’t miss this Back
to Hye Skool Party. Time: 8pm-1am. Venue: The ultra-hip & funky Babushka 41
Tavistock Crescent, Notting Hill, W11 1AD. Tix:=C2=A35 before 10:30pm, =C2=
=A37 after,
Age: Strictly 18+ (No ID? No H YE party) Tube:Westbourne Park (Hammersmith &
City) – 1 min walk Notting Hill Gate (Central, District & Circle) – 5 min
ride (#27, 28 & 328 buses on Pembridge Road opposite WHSmith outside
station). Music:DJ Josey Kray & FBI Squad playing old skool tunes, as well
as the freshest tracks, Armenian and more. Xtra: Quality prize s for the
best dressed skool boy and skool girl. New surprises in store for all.
Contact: Raffi 07958 137 702, John 07961 166 969 [email protected]
*Armenian Radio Hour on The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation can be heard via
real audio on . Broadcast times 17:00-18:00 local Cyprus
time (14:00-15:00 GMT) New s bulletins at 17:15 local time on Sundays,
Tuesdays, Fridays. Armenian Cypriots can also tune in on the following radio
frequencies 91.1 FM (Mount Olympus – for Nicosia listeners) 94.2 FM
(Paralimni/Protaras/Agia Napa) 92.4 FM (Larnaca) 96.5 FM (Paphos).
*The Armenian Prelature announces that the next permit for the Armenian
Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green line, is scheduled for
Sunday 14 November, 2004.
*Every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. (Cyprus time +2 GMT) on CyBC’s Trito, Puzant
Nadjarian presents the “History of the Blues”. You can also hear it on Real
Audio from the Internet edition of CyBC on A repeat program
can also be heard seven hours later at 2:00 a.m. local time.
*Listen to Hairenik Associati on’s online Armenian Radio Station. A variety
of Armenian music online, 24 hours a day, combined with news and other
interesting information about the Armenian community in the US, Armenia,
Artsakh, Javakhk and the Armenian Diaspora.
*24 Hours of non-stop armenian music and programs on the internet
. . . . . News . . . . . ANC hour . . . . . Song dedications . . . . . Youth
discussions . . . . . Game Shows . . . . . Interviews . . . . . Religious
programs . . . . . Cultural programs . . . . . History . . . . .
Launch Hairenik Radio in your preferred Player …launch Hairenik in your
life
Gibrahayer, is an independent electronic environment, now in its fifth year,
disseminating news & posting upcoming events about the Armenian community of
Cyprus, Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora. The list also promotes the
discussion of issues brought forward by its members. The subscription to
this service is free. To subscribe to Gibrahayer e-newsletter, follow the
instructions at To contact the
listmaster send an email to [email protected]
This newsletter has been send on behalf of [email protected]
If this newsletter has no unsubscribe link, or the link does not work.
please report it and it will be dealt immediately.
Include this code in your report LATROBA123 (GIBRAYER3197).
Powered by GAP Vassilopoulos E-Media Ltd
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GEORGIAN, ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS PRAISE BILATERAL RELATIONS, NOTE REGIONAL
ISSUES
Georgian State Television Channel 1, Tbilisi
22 Oct 04
Meeting in Tbilisi, the Georgian and Armenian presidents, Mikheil
Saakashvili and Robert Kocharyan, have discussed bilateral and
regional relations. Speaking at a joint news briefing there on 22
October, which was broadcast live by Georgian State TV, Saakashvili
said that Georgia, in the wake of the closure of the Georgian-Russian
border at Verkhniy Lars, should also be able to export to countries
other than Russia. Kocharyan urged a “pragmatic” solution to the issue
of railway traffic through Abkhazia. The two presidents also noted
that they would welcome “concrete” proposals and “real content” in the
European Union’s new neighbourhood initiative. The following is an
excerpt from the report on the joint briefing; subheadings have been
inserted editorially:
(Presenter) A joint news briefing by the Georgian and Armenian
presidents has just started at the State Chancellery. We are about to
join the briefing live.
Good Georgian-Armenian relations
(Saakashvili, briefing in progress; all questions and answers in
Russian unless otherwise indicated) For us it was easier to travel to
the border (with Armenia, where the two presidents met today) than to
the airport. Sometimes we forget about distances.
I think that we had a very good meeting. We have a common
understanding on nearly the entire range of issues. We always come to
each other’s aid and this is very important. For example, since the
recent acts of sabotage against our main electricity transmission
lines we have been importing most of electricity from Armenia. Armenia
responded to our request very promptly and started to export
electricity to Georgia. We would like to simplify customs and border
procedures. (Passage omitted)
(Kocharyan) Mr President, ladies and gentlemen: First and foremost, I
would like to thank you for the invitation to visit Georgia. While
this is not my first visit to Georgia, every visit is extremely
important given the wide-ranging agenda of our relations. It is
becoming wider with every passing year.
We discussed very specific issues to do with our relations, and
focused primarily on economic, transport and energy issues. We also
talked about the harmonization of our laws, relations between the
customs departments, police bodies and other matters. (Passage
omitted)
Turkey constructive player in region
(Question) Armenian news agency Mediamax. Mr Saakashvili, you said in
Yerevan last March that you would discuss the prospects for the
restoration of rail traffic between Kars (Turkey) and Gyumri (Armenia)
during your planned visit to Turkey. This, naturally, would benefit
Georgia as well. However, there has been a lot of discussion recently
about the prospects for building a railway to link Kars and
Akhalkalaki (Georgia). Should we assume that the Turkish leadership is
refusing, at least at this stage, to discuss the prospects for the
restoration of a Kars-Gyumri service?
(Saakashvili) Our approach, not only towards Armenia but also to all
other international talks, including the talks in Turkey, has been
absolutely clear. We are for the opening of more communications, more
roads, more border checkpoints, because traditionally Georgia has been
at the crossroads of transport corridors, various cultures, various
trade routes and, what is very important, various human
contacts. Naturally, we do not welcome any restrictions.
Unfortunately, not everything is up to Georgia. Of course, there are
complex regional problems. I am sure that the Turkish leadership is
very constructive. This was my impression after all my talks with
Prime Minister (of Turkey Recep) Erdogan. They are firmly on the road
towards integration with the EU. Our experience of relations with them
has been exclusively positive. I have never heard them making any
aggressive statements about any one of the issues concerning their
neighbours. I think that the process of regional cooperation and the
opening of new roads are inevitable and we will have even more
opportunities to solve the problems that exist.
Naturally, there are historical problems, there are problems which
have accumulated in the region over recent times, but I think that
there is a trend towards their resolution, not the emergence of new
problems or the preservation of status quo. In this respect, Georgia
is ready to play a positive role everywhere, at all levels, at all
forums, both multilateral and bilateral. This is what I can say.
Georgians should also export to countries other than Russia
(Question) Rustavi-2 TV. I have a question to both Mr Saakashvili and
Mr Kocharyan. The question concerns the Larsi section (Verkhniy Lars
checkpoint on the Georgian-Russian border), which has been closed for
quite some time. This is creating problems for both Georgians and
Armenians.
Did you discuss the issue today? In your view, how can this problem be
resolved? And was it a mere coincidence that Russia reopened the
border today?
Robert Sedrakovich (Kocharyan), we know that you spoke to Russian
President Vladimir Putin yesterday. Did you touch on this issue? Thank
you.
(Kocharyan) Sometimes there are pleasant coincidences which may not
have happened by chance. I think that the opening of this road means
that the tension in North Ossetia, caused by the Beslan events, has
subsided. I think that this step (the closure of the border) was a
result of the tension in North Ossetia.
(Saakashvili) I think this did not happen by chance. I think that
today’s visit by the president of Armenia and our meeting coincided
with the opening of this road. (Sentence as heard)
At the same time, we must know that (changes tack) – of course we want
Russia to resolve all its problems concerning the North
Caucasus. However, the Georgian exporters, as well as all the others,
must diversify their markets. (Switches to Georgian)
Our side of the border will open in half an hour and traffic in the
direction of Russia will resume. However, everyone should remember the
lesson we have learnt in recent months. We must realize that should
problems of this sort arise, all Georgian exporters, all Georgian
businesses should be ready to search for alternative markets, with the
state’s help. Of course, we should also preserve the Russian market,
as we cannot be dependant on only one market forever.
Our independence, our freedom, our independent course and our
wellbeing require that we, together with our friends, learn to work on
all other markets, while maintaining good relations with
Russia. (Passage omitted: repeats the same in Russian; Kocharyan says
all parties have suffered because of the closure)
(Kocharyan) One may see something bad behind this fact (border
closure), but one may also try to find an explanation in the present
situation, the present concerns which I have mentioned. I am inclined
not to dramatise the situation and I would not like to see this sort
of thing happen again. I want roads to operate in a normal way. The
more roads there are, the better. If there was a Turkish road across
the Armenian border, everything in the region would have been
excellent.
Georgia to build new road to Javakheti region
(Question) Armen Akopyan, correspondent of the (Armenian) newspaper
Ayots Ashkhar. I have a question to Mr Saakashvili. Mr President, it
is well known that many Armenians live in Georgia, especially in
Javakhk (predominantly Armenian-populated Akhalkalaki and Ninotsminda
districts in Georgia’s Samtskhe-Javakheti Region). It is also well
known there are difficult economic conditions in this region: shortage
of jobs, damaged highways. Does the Georgian leadership have a
programme for the economic and social development of Javakheti? By the
way, when are you going to visit this region?
(Saakashvili) First of all, I am indeed indebted to the population of
Javakheti who provided great support to me in the (January 2004)
presidential election. My wife has already been there seven or eight
times, but unfortunately I have not been able to go there. However, I
am going to pay a good visit. I do not want to go anywhere with empty
hands. We have been talking to donors, to the countries which have
been supporting us, and I think that we will be able to obtain money
for building a new road to Akhalkalaki. This is very important for us,
both economically and politically. We already have enough money from
the World Bank to build half of this road, and its construction is set
to begin next year. As regards the other half, we have got several
concrete promises. I think that this road should be built within the
next two years, so that the population gets access to all markets and
the region is integrated economically.
It is also very important for us that the region should maintain close
ties with border areas of Armenia and with Armenia in general, but, at
the same time, the region should be economically successful in
relation to the whole country (Georgia), and the road is the key to
this. This is one of the priorities of my presidential term. I think
that our citizens who live in Javakheti are very talented people, very
interesting people in their attitude towards business and
entrepreneurship. I would like to say that many of them work in Russia
on various construction sites where especially skilled workers are
required. We would like these people to work in Georgia. We would like
to see local businesses (of Javakheti) to expand throughout
Georgia. We would like these people to take part in various regional
projects. However, the journey from there to Tbilisi is three times
longer than it should be. This is absolutely inappropriate, of
course. Once again, I would like to note that despite its isolation
and unfavourable climate, local people there have still managed to
build good hotels, good shops, a good network of cafes, and they are
managing well. I do not think that this is an achievement of the
Georgian government, I think that this is an achievement of their
talent. If we open our doors for this talent to reach the whole
country and international projects, I think that not only this
population but also the whole of Georgia will have many good
prospects. (Passage omitted)
No disagreements in border demarcation work
(Question) Armenian newspaper Azg, this is a question to both
presidents. When will the process of demarcation of the
Georgian-Armenian border begin? Have you discussed this issue? Could
this issue lead to some disputes, so to speak, between Georgia and
Armenia? Thank you.
(Kocharyan) It is better to ask when this work will be finished, not
when it will begin. There was agreement in principle and we should
have finished the work this year. There have been changes on the
Georgian side of this commission. The Georgian representative was sent
to Poland as ambassador, if I am not mistaken, and a new person will
be appointed. I think we will work in a normal manner and we will be
able to finish this work next year. So far, there have been no painful
issues in the commission’s work which could lead to serious
disagreements. It is possible to resolve these issues in a normal,
calm and working atmosphere.
(Saakashvili) For the past two thousand years, Armenia and Georgia
have had no territorial claims against each other (smiles), and I
think this will remain as it has been.
Cooperation with Baltic states and Europe in general
(Question) Malkhaz Oniani, Channel One of Georgian Television. Mr
President Kocharyan, do you share the Georgian president’s initiative
about a three-plus-three format regarding cooperation between the
Baltic and South Caucasus countries? And my second question is this:
Have you discussed the issue of reopening railway traffic between
Armenia and Russia through Abkhazia? Thank you.
(Kocharyan) As regards the first part of your question, we began
discussion of our coordinated activities within the framework of the
European Union’s new initiative about new neighbourhood. We agreed to
continue this discussion tomorrow because it requires some
brainstorming. This policy has been declared, but it has not been
formulated what it means specifically. Right now, the process of
formulating this concept is under way. We should be able to play a
certain role in this too. I think that the concept of the new
neighbourhood should be fully fledged, it should not be just a
declaration about new neighbours, there should be some real content.
As regards the three-plus-three idea, if I’m not mistaken it was
declared in the same context – that the Baltic republics could act as
lobbyists in the formulation of this concept of new neighbours. We are
ready to cooperate with them. We will continue the discussion of this
issue with the president of Georgia today and tomorrow. However, I am
not sure that the three Baltic republics themselves have reached a
consensus in this respect. Two years ago, there was no full agreement
there, among them.
(Saakashvili) We talked about this issue. This issue is about regional
cooperation. We are not talking about some radical political platform
or a formal international organization, but I think the South Caucasus
countries will reach an agreement on this issue, and Robert
Sedrakovich (Kocharyan) has confirmed this. As regards agreement among
the Baltic countries, Lithuania has assured us that they have already
reached agreement. So, we have made steps forward. We are interested
in concrete issues. We are members of the European Union’s new
neighbourhood. What will we gain from this? What will each country
gain from this, with respect to tariffs and preferential treatment? I
want to know specifically when we will be exporting Georgian wine to
Poland. Will it be subject to three times more taxes than now? Or will
it be subject to a preferential tariff, which it should be? We will
certainly be able to agree on this if we create certain formats of
regional cooperation. Therefore, I think that the initiative was
timely. We see pragmatic aspects of this initiative for the
development of our economies. (Passage omitted)
Armenia calls for restoration of railway traffic through Abkhazia
(Kocharyan) Your second question was about railway traffic. In
general, we discussed questions related to railway traffic in the
South Caucasus. There are certain ideas in this respect, but I do not
want to talk about them now because they are only raw ideas. These are
ideas about possible cooperation of all railways, maybe cooperation in
some structural forms.
We did not discuss this (Abkhazia) section specifically, but I can
tell you what my point of view on this is, taking into account
Georgia’s concerns as well. In principle, the more lines are in
operation, the better it is for all of us. As regards the Abkhazia
section specifically, this section is working between Abkhazia and
Russia. So, if it is working there, the absence of any through traffic
is simply disadvantageous for both you and us, which makes no sense.
I think that, taking into account all difficulties and all concerns, a
pragmatic attitude would be useful, although I understand that this is
complicated. This is a question for Georgia to decide.
(Saakashvili) Thank you. I think there will be more possibilities (to
ask questions) during the next few days. Thank you once again, and
special thanks to our guests.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Oct 20 2004
Russia Ready To Assist In Solving Nagorno Karabakh Conflict
AssA-Irada 20/10/2004 19:07
President Ilham Aliyev said in a meeting with his Russian counterpart
Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Tuesday that the political dialogue
between the two countries is on a high level.
Aliyev expressed a hope that Russia, as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk
Group, will step up its efforts to settle the Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict over Nagorno Karabakh.
The two presidents discussed implementation of agreements signed
during Aliyev’s official visit to Moscow in February 2004,
fulfillment of tasks set for doubling the turnover of goods between
the two countries and prospects for strengthening the joint combat
against terrorism.
The parties also stressed the need for stepping up the international
community’s efforts to fight international terrorism.
Aliyev and Putin exchanged views on the present-day situation in the
Caucasus region as well. The Russian President welcomed the
continuation of talks between Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents
over the solution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Russia is ready
to assist the sides in settling the conflict, Putin said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Turkmen leader’s book of spiritual teachings to be published in Armenian
Turkmen TV first channel, Asgabat
18 Oct 04
Presenter A creative group of the Partev Armenian-Turkmen cooperation
centre in charge of the publication of Ruhnama in the Armenian
language has sent a message to Turkmen President Saparmyrat
Turkmenbasy the Great Nyyazow .
In the letter, they informed the Turkmen head of state that they were
preparing for the publication of the first volume of Ruhnama of our
esteemed leader Saparmyrat Turkmenbasy the Great in the Armenian
language. The authors of the letter say that when thinking of starting
the publication of Ruhnama in Armenian, that they were guided by the
followings words of Saparmyrat Turkmenbasy the Great: “Ruhnama is not
only for Turkmens! Ruhnama is also a book of other nationalities and
our brothers who live among us and share our joy and happiness and
create the Golden Age on this soil with us.”
Members of the creative group also wrote that the publication of
Ruhnama in Armenian would facilitate further understanding between the
peoples of Armenia and Turkmenistan and strengthen the cultural ties
of our countries.
“It will be a great honour for us to receive your approval for the
publication of Ruhnama in Armenian and hand you copies of the book
after its publication,” the message says.
Passage omitted: authors of the letter congratulate Turkmen president
and people on Independence Day
No video
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
September 20, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
REPS. ESHOO AND SWEENEY URGE HOUSE COLLEAGUES
TO CALL FOR A VOTE ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
— Support Continues to Grow for Congressional Letter to Speaker
Hastert in Support of the Schiff Amendment and H.Res.193
WASHINGTON, DC – New York Republican John Sweeney and California
Democrat Anna Eshoo have joined together in the effort to encourage
their Congressional colleagues to cosign a letter to Speaker
Hastert urging him to maintain the Schiff amendment in the House
Foreign aid bill and schedule a vote on the Genocide Resolution,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). The
letter currently has over 60 signatories and support continues to
grow in the days leading up to the House and Senate conference to
finalize the FY 2005 foreign aid bill.
In a letter to House Members, Reps. Eshoo and Sweeney, both of
Armenian descent, explained:
“Under the Ottoman Empire, nearly two million Armenians who were
living in Eastern Anatolia were deported from their homes. Of the
two million deportees, only 500,000 survived this ordeal. The
historical record is clear. From 1915 to 1923, the Ottoman Empire
succeeded in systematically eliminating the Armenians from their
historical homeland where they had lived for over two thousand
years. H.Res.193 reaffirmed our nation’s commitment to the noble
aims of the Genocide Convention, and urges the American people to
learn from the lessons of past genocides in order to help prevent
future crimes against humanity.”
The complete text of the Eshoo-Sweeney letter follows.
The Schiff Amendment, spearheaded by California Democrat Adam
Schiff, was unanimously adopted by the House in a voice vote,
during discussions of the FY 2005 foreign aid bill. The
legislation would bar the Turkish government from using U.S.
foreign aid funds for lobbying against the Genocide resolution.
Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) and
Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) immediately denounced the measure in
a harshly worded press release placed on the front page of the
House Speaker’s website, citing concerns about its effects on U.S.-
Turkey relations and pledging to remove the language from the final
foreign aid bill.
Following the Speaker’s announced opposition to the measure, more
than a dozen national grassroots Armenian American organizations
cosigned a letter to the House leader, voicing the community’s
unequivocal opposition to efforts to reverse the Schiff Amendment
to the fiscal year 2005 Foreign Operations bill, and expressing the
community’s “great dismay with your public statement against
holding a vote on the Genocide Resolution, H.Res.193.” The
organizations that signed the community-wide letter were the ANCA,
the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church – Eastern and Western
U.S., the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church – Eastern and
Western U.S., the Armenian Missionary Association of America, and
the Apostolic Exarchate for Armenian Catholics, as well as the
Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian Democratic Liberal
(Ramgavar) Party, United Armenian Fund, Armenian Relief Society,
Armenian Bar Association, National Organization of Republican
Armenians, Armenian Youth Federation, Homenetmen – Armenian General
Athletic Union, and Hamazkayn Armenian Cultural and Educational
Association.
Reps. George Radanovich (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and
Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) introduced the Genocide resolution
(H.Res.193) in April, 2003. The legislation (H.Res.193) was
unanimously adopted by the House Judiciary Committee in May of that
year and currently has 111 cosponsors. Similar legislation in the
Senate (S.Res.164) has over 40 cosponsors.
#####
Text of Sweeney-Eshoo Letter to House Colleagues
In Support of the Radanovich-Pallone-Schiff Letter to Speaker
Hastert
Congress of the United States
Washington, DC 20515
September 15, 2004
Help Honor the Victims of the Armenian Genocide
“It is generally not known in the world that, in the years
preceding 1916, there was a concerted effort made to eliminate all
the Armenian people, probably one of the greatest tragedies that
ever befell any group. And there weren’t any Nurenberg trials.” –
President Jimmy Carter
Dear Colleague:
As Armenian descendents, we respectfully request you to join us in
signing the attached letter to Speaker Hastert in support of the
Schiff amendment to the FY2005 Foreign Operations Appropriations
bill, and H.Res.193, the Genocide Resolution.
As you may know, the Schiff amendment was passed in July,
prohibiting the government of Turkey from using U.S. foreign aid to
lobby against H.Res.193, legislation officially recognizing the
Armenian Genocide. Following the adoption of this amendment,
Speaker Hastert issued a statement announcing his intention to keep
H.Res.193 off the floor, legislation which has already been
cosponsored by 100 of our colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
Both H.Res.193, and its companion measure in the Senate, S.Res.164,
enjoy broad, bipartisan backing and the support of a broad-based
coalition of over 100 human and civil rights organizations,
including the National Council of Churches, American Values, Union
of Orthodox Rabbis, NAACP, National Council of La Raza,
International Campaign for Tibet, Sons of Italy, and all major
Armenian American groups.
Under the Ottoman Empire, nearly two million Armenians who were
living in Eastern Anatolia were deported from their homes. Of the
two million deportees, only 500,000 survived this ordeal. The
historical record is clear. From 1915 to 1923, the Ottoman Empire
succeeded in systematically eliminating the Armenians from their
historical homeland where they had lived for over two thousand
years. H.Res.193 reaffirmed our nation’s commitment to the noble
aims of the Genocide Convention, and urges the American people to
learn from the lessons of past genocides in order to help prevent
future crimes against humanity.
As we watch violence all too familiar unfold in the African nation
of Sudan, we urge you to join us in asking the Speaker to give us
the chance to act by bringing the Genocide Resolution to the floor
for a vote. We hope that you will join us in this significant
endeavor. To sign this letter, or to receive more information, you
can contact Tim Bergreen in Representative Schiff’s office at
[email protected], or at 5-4176.
Sincerely,
[signed]
Anna Eshoo
Member of Congress
[signed]
John E. Sweeney
Member of Congress
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Putin to bring together Azerbaijani, Armenian leaders in Astana
By Viktoria Sokolova
ITAR-TASS News Agency
September 14, 2004
MOSCOW, September 15 — President Vladimir Putin will hold a tripartite
meeting in Astana on Wednesday evening with Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan and Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev.
“The format of such a meeting has proven to be correct,” presidential
aide Sergei Prikhodko told Itar-Tass.
The Kremlin assumes that the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
“should reach an accord between themselves,” while Russia “can make
its contribution to the development and deepening of dialogue,”
Prikhodko said.
The new tripartite meeting will be held on Moscow’s proposal, a source
in the presidential administration told Itar-Tass. The Kremlin does
not rule out that Kocharyan and Aliyev will have a one-on-one meeting
in Astana.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ENERGONOROGUM MANUFACTURES POLYETHYLENE PIPES
   YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS: A local Energonorogum (Energy
Repair) company started production of polyethylene pipes late last
May and according to its chief manager, there are enough capacity to
manufacture around 100 km long pipes a month with a diameter ranging
from 60 to 160 cm. These pipes are successfully used both for laying
drinking water and natural gas pipelines.    Unlike metal pipes,
which can serve only for 15-20 years, pipes made of polyethylene,
can run for 60 years and demand no repair. They are also immune
against corrosion and other chemical exposure. The company brings
raw material from Belgium. It is now seeking prospects for selling
its products in Russia and other CIS countries.

PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
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;
A PRINCELY DONATION TO THE ARMENIAN CHURCH CANADIAN DIOCESE

In response to an appeal by His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian,
Primate of the Canadian Diocese, an anonymous benefactor, a devout
believer and supporter of the spiritual mission of the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin and of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church, has
graciously donated the princely sum of 200.000 US dollars. The
donation is intended to promote the spiritual and national missions of
the Diocese and to foster the realization of many new projects.

This generous donation will permit the rekindle youth programs, as
well as educational and more specifically, spiritual projects.
For the past twenty years, under the auspices of the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin, the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada has
been serving the faithful of the Armenian Church by advancing
spiritual, cultural and educational enrichment.

On behalf of the Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
Canada, the Diocesan Council, the clergy and the faithful, we extend
our heartfelt gratitude to the noble benefactor, and pray that
Almighty God protect and grant good health and long life.

Divan of the Diocese
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

La Nouvelle République du Centre Ouest
26 juillet 2004
Édition VIENNE; CHAUVIGNY et son pays – ARTS ET SPECTACLES; Page 9
Folklore arménien : salle comble
Les danseurs, danseuses et musiciens de l’Ensemble Bert d’Erevan, en
Arménie, ont présenté leur spectacle folklorique à guichet fermé, il
y a quelques jours dans le cadre de la programmation intercommunale
du festival d’été. Quelque six cents spectateurs ont assisté à un
spectacle d’une rare beauté, entre gestes gracieux de l’orient et
danses rustiques de l’occident.
Plusieurs dizaines de spectateurs ont fait grise mine à l’entrée de
la salle de spectacles (la météo a empêché la tenue du spectacle
devant l’hôtel de ville), bloquée pour des raisons de sécurité. La
troupe arménienne a été fondée en 1963 et a participé à une trentaine
de festivals internationaux. C’était sa huitième venue en France. Sa
première à Chauvigny.
– Prochain spectacle folklorique à Fleix, jeudi 29 juillet, 21 h,
avec l’Ensemble d’Etat de danses et chants Tchouvaches (Russie).
Gratuit.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress