Author: Emil Lazarian

GROWTH OF SPHERE OF TOURISM MAY BE CHANGED BY FALL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF UNION OF INCOMING TOUR OPERATORS OF ARMENIA WARNS
YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, NOYAN TAPAN. Phenomena of careless competition got
an extended character in the sphere of incoming tourism may create
such a situation that the 20-25% annual growth of the sphere may be
changed by a fall.
Arayik Vardanian, the Executive Director of the Union of Incoming Tour
Operators of Armenia (UITOA) mentioned about it in the interview to
the Noyan Tapan correspondent. According to his data, about 150 tour
operators are registered in Armenia, but only 30 of them work in
the legal field. Tour operators joined the union occupy 70% of the
incoming tourism market. According to A.Vardanian’s words, cases,
when “firms having a butterfly’s life are founded for receiving
a concrete group of tourists” which propose low price services
to tourists, became more. But their quality very often does not
satisfy any accepted standard. It was mentioned that it relates
particularly to the suggested inferior food and transport means. The
UITOA Executive Director emphasized that to prevent so careless
competition with the help of licensing, the Union proposed the RA
Government and National Assembly to make amendements to the RA laws
“On Tourism” and “On Licensing.” A.Vardanian believes that a licensed
tour operator functioning in an open legislative field must not be
able to offer inferior services and ones not corresponding to the
price to a client. He mentioned that the Union of Tour Operators took
steps aimed to self-arrangement of the sphere as well. For example,
it’s envisaged to adopt the Code of Laws for Tour Operators during
coming months. The UITOA was founded in late 2004 by 10 companies of
incoming tour operators. The process of formation of the union lasted
three years.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azerbaijan Calls on UN to Reaffirm its ‘Territorial Integrity’
ArmRadio.am
18.08.2006 14:03
The Azeri government, on August 4, submitted an appeal to the United
Nations urging the international body to reaffirm that country’s
territorial integrity as it relates to the liberated territories that
border the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
Armenia’s representative in the UN Armen Martirosyan told Radio Free
Europe that the document also categorizes Nagorno-Karabakh as part of
Azerbaijan and calls on the international community to condemn recent
forest fires on the bordering regions of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
Los Angeles based Asbarez daily has reported that several weeks that,
after conducting a full investigation of allegations that Armenians
from Karabakh were setting the forest fires, the OSCE determined that,
in fact, the fires were being set by Azeris.
Martirosyan announced that Armenia has already submitted its position
on the Azeri appeal and is working with UN-member states. He added
that during the last session of the UN, an agreement was reached
that status of Nagorno-Karabakh would not be addressed with the UN,
since OSCE Minsk Group is continuing its conflict resolution process.
“If Azerbaijan continues to pursue discussions and the matter is
placed for a vote [in the UN] then Armenia has the right to pull
itself out of the peace process,” stressed Martirosyan.
The UN representative added that Azerbaijan’s strategy will play a
great role in determining the outcome of this appeal. “If Azerbaijan
chooses to push forward with this matter, it signals that it has
reservations about the conflict resolution process.”
In 2004, Azerbaijan attempted–but failed–to address this issue in
the UN, by alleging that Armenia had adopted a policy to resettle
the liberated territories.
In a November 2004 interview with RFE/RL, Martirosyan said the
territories are serving as a security belt around Nagorno-Karabakh
as a response to what he called the “war-mongering rhetoric” of the
Azeri leadership.”The issue of those territories cannot be resolved
unless there is a resolution on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh and
security guarantees are provided,” Martirosyan said.
The then US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Susan Moore said the
Minsk process is the best forum for resolving the dispute. She said
efforts should be focused on building confidence between the two
sides and avoiding divisions in the General Assembly.
“Azerbaijan is raising specific concerns linked to the situation in
Nagorno-Karabakh,” Moore said at the time. “We believe these concerns
can be fully addressed in the existing format. As a first step an
OSCE fact-finding mission could be considered as a means to address
this issue.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Assembly Holds Briefings in Michigan & New Jersey
ArmRadio.am
18.08.2006 14:09
The Assembly’s (The Armenian Assembly of America) Executive Director
Bryan Ardouny traveled to Farmington Hills, Michigan and Wayne, New
Jersey, on July 9 and 16 respectively, to meet with local supporters
and discuss critical issues facing the Armenian-American community.
In those meetings, Ardouny provided an update on his meetings with
U.S., Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh government officials during his
recent trip to Armenia, as well as a legislative update. He also
answered a variety of questions asked by supporters regarding the
Appropriations Bill for FY 2007, the pan-Armenian Genocide Resolution,
the Rail Measure and the confirmation hearing of U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia Designate Richard Hoagland.
In Michigan some 100 area supporters attended the annual picnic
on July 9. The picnic included music, food, numerology readings by
Ilene Hagopian Blackman and a raffle. Regional Council Chairman Edgar
Hagopian, who was unable to attend, organized the afternoon event with
the help of Council Members Robert Benian, Paul Kulhanjian, Natalie
Mosher, Shirley Sarkisian, David Terzibashian and Madeline Thomasian.
The following week, the Assembly’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Council
held its annual summer briefing at the residence of Gene and Jane
Hastings in Wayne, NJ. Co-Chairs Mike Candan, Arthur Halvajian and
Carla Kapikian organized the annual event.
“We have had numerous successes throughout this Congressional cycle
from House approval of a provision to prevent Export-Import Bank
funding of a rail bypass of Armenia to the resounding International
Relations Committee vote last September on affirming the Armenian
Genocide,” said Ardouny. “However we have many challenges ahead and
it’s heartening to meet with so many committed activists. I would
like to especially thank the Assembly’s Regional Council Members for
making these events possible.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

KARS GOVERNOR HEADS PRO-ARMENIAN FORCES IN TURKEY: AZERBAIJANI CONSUL
Yerevan, August 18. ArmInfo. Governor of Kars Naif Ali Bey-oghlu
heads pro- Armenian forces in Turkey, Azerbaijani Consul in Kars
Hasan Zeynalov told Trend.
Kars Governor still calls those against the opening of Armenian-Turkish
border nationalists, the Consul said.
To note, earlier Kars Governor proposed official Ankara to lift the
blockade of Armenia. He said economic problems in Kars, mass emigration
are connected mainly with the blockade of Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  (374 10) 517 163
Fax:  (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
August 18, 2006
His Holiness Karekin II Receives Pilgrims from
the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
On August 17, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, received more than 50 pilgrims from the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). The pilgrims
are in Holy Etchmiadzin on the occasion of the 75th anniversary
of the establishment of their parish, St. James Armenian Church
in Watertown, Massachusetts. The delegation of faithful sons and
daughters of the Armenian Church was led by their parish priest,
Rev. Fr. Arakel Aljalian, and his wife, Yeretsgin Natasha.
Receiving the large group of pilgrims in the Pontifical Residence,
the Catholicos of All Armenians welcomed them to their spiritual
home and administrative center of the Holy Mother Church. Fr. Arakel
introduced the parish members to His Holiness and, on behalf of all
his parishioners, expressed his love and filial respect to the Mother
See and the Pontiff of All Armenians. He asked His Holiness for his
blessing and message to the pilgrims.
His Holiness extended his words of appreciation to the pilgrims
on the occasion of their visit and, noting their enthusiasm stated,
“…May our Lord inspire you with the new reality of our country – our
independent homeland, with the spiritual renaissance of our Church and
the developing life of our people, so that far from the homeland, but
with her love always in your souls, you continue working and toiling
with restlessness and consolation for the benefit of your own parish
and community, as well for our homeland and your brothers and sisters
who live here.”
His Holiness also reflected on Father Arakel’s years of service as
a pastor, commending him for his vigilant and dedicated service.
##
–Boundary_(ID_mm6Ej3WhY3ODmAA3L3uHN Q)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERI PRESIDENT RECEIVED DELEGATION LED BY U.N. HIGHER COMMISSIONER ON REFUGEES
Author: S.Ilhamgizi
TREND, Azerbaijan
Aug. 17, 2006
On August 17, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the
delegation headed by U.N. Higher Commissioner on Refugees Antonio
Guterres,Trend has been told by the press-service the President’s
Office.
During the meeting, Aliyev noted that the occupation of Azerbaijani
lands by Armenians, in result of which more than one million people
have become refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), is the
key problem for Azerbaijan. He pointed out that Azerbaijan carries
out necessary measures to improve the living conditions for refugees
and IDPs, and in the near future, all tent camps will be liquidated.
Aliyev voiced his confidence that this visit will give further
opportunities to expand the relations between Azerbaijan and U.N.
Higher Commissariat.
Antonio Guterres satisfactorily remembered the meeting with national
leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev at the summit of OSCE held in
Lissabon. The guest notified that a decision was made last year on
the issue that U.N. Higher Commissariat on Refugees will pay further
attention to resolve the problems of refugees and IDPs. According to
him, from this point of view, the visit to Azerbaijan assumes a great
importance. He highly assessed the efforts of Azerbaijan government
to upgrade the living standards of refugees and IDPs, and expressed
his hope that the relations between Azerbaijan and U.N. will develop
in the future.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN CIVILIANS TRANSFERRED UNDER ICRC AUSPICES
Source: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) – Switzerland
Reuters AlertNet, UK
Aug. 17, 2006
Geneva (ICRC) – On 17 August three Armenian civilians were handed over
to the Armenian authorities under the auspices of the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The operation took place on the road
between the Azerbaijani town of Gazakh and the Armenian town of Ijevan.
The ICRC, participating as a neutral intermediary, facilitated the
transfer at the request of the Azerbaijani and Armenian authorities
after ICRC delegates had met the civilians and verified that they
had accepted the handover of their own free will.
Since the start of its activities in connection with the Nagorny
Karabakh conflict in 1992, the ICRC has helped repatriate or transfer
659 people, and the organization will support any similar operation
in the future should the need arise.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SAMAD SEYIDOV: WE’LL TRY TO RAISE THE ARMENIAN ARSONS IN OCCUPIED AZERBAIJANI LANDS AT PACE AUTUMN SESSION
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug. 17, 2006
“We’ll try to raise the Armenian-committed arsons in the occupied
Azerbaijani lands at the autumn session of the Council of Europe
Parliamentary Assembly,” Samad Seyidov, head of Azerbaijani
parliamentary delegation to PACE told journalists, APA reports.
He said as these arsons are part of the occupation, the Azerbaijani
delegation’s priority is to keep Armenia’s aggressive policy on
focus and fuel the work of the PACE Subcommittee for Nagorno Garabagh
problem.
“We are doing out utmost regarding all problems, including the Nagorno
Garabagh problem and the arsons and trying to bring these matters to
the Council of Europe’s attention,” Mr.Seyidov said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZIMOV: “EXPERTS SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE MONITORING OF ARMENIAN ARSONS ON THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES”
Today, Azerbaijan
.html
Aug. 17, 2006
“I was not informed of Andrzej Kasprzyk’s visit to Armenia to
investigate the causes of Armenian-committed arsons on the occupied
territories.”
“On the other hand, Kasprzyk can hold monitoring under his mandate,”
Azerbaijani deputy foreign minister Araz Azimov told journalists,
APA reports. The deputy minister said experts should be involved in
the monitoring of the affected areas.
He noted that personal representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office,
Kasprzyk is not an ecologist, and Azerbaijan has already appealed to
the UN and OSCE authorities for the monitoring.
Mr.Azimov did not rule out international experts group’s visiting
the areas affected by the arsons.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THEATER CRITIC’S CHOICE: “LITTLE ARMENIA”
LA City Beat, CA
Aug. 17, 2006
In the neighborhood surrounding the Fountain Theatre, an immigrant
couple frets that their daughter wants to marry an outsider – an
Icelandic American. Meanwhile, an Armenian American teenager falls
in with a shady garbage collector, and two women worry about losing
their waitress jobs if a restaurant moves to Glendale. These are
among the narrative strands that intertwine in this research-based
play by three authors: Lory Bedikian, Aram Kouyoumdjian and Shahe
Mankerian. It sounds like a recipe for sprawl, but Armina LaMann’s
staging is remarkably concise and consistent in tone. The text balances
warm emotion with a few less than flattering perspectives and a wealth
of local color – the narrator’s home is on a street only a half-block
from the theater.
-Don Shirley
The Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave., Hollywood, (323) 663-1525.
Thurs.-Sats. at 8 p.m.; Suns. at 2 p.m. Closes Sept. 3.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress