Author: Emil Lazarian

PACE KARABAKH COMMITTEE TO MEET IN DECEMBER
Pan Armenian
06.10.2005 09:02
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Yesterday PACE Armenian and Azeri delegations met in
Strasbourg. Chairman of the PACE Ad-Hoc Committee on Nagorno-Karabakh
Lord Russell-Johnston was also present at the meeting held behind
closed doors.
Matters of arranging the Subcommittee third session scheduled for
December, ways of activation of efforts of the Subcommittee to settle
the Armenian-Azeri conflict were discussed at the meeting.

LENNMARKER: EUROPEAN INTEGRATION MODEL SHOULD BE APPLIED TO SOUTH CAUCASUS
Pan Armenian
06.10.2005 11:28
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “The current stage of settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict should be continued, as a rather good, honest
and frank team has been formed. This is a golden opportunity for
Armenian and Azeri Presidents and FMs to continue talks to find a
lasting solution,” said OSCE Special Representative for NK Goran
Lennmarker. In his words, a bilaterally favorable solution should be
found and there will be no losers if it is the case. “I support the
process under the OSCE MG auspices, however it can be completed by the
two countries only,” he noted. The NK people should become participants
of the process in the long run. European integration model should be
applied to the South Caucasus: open borders, united work for welfare,
Lennmarker added. The NATO and EU are also interested in security
and cooperation in the region, Armenpress reported.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

83-YEAR-OLD TEACHER TRAINING UNIVERSITY STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN RELATIONS AND TRADITIONS IN THE SPHERE OF EDUCATION
By Gohar Gevorgian
AZG Armenian Daily #179
06/10/2005
Education
Study and development of the Russian philology always was in the
limelight of the State Teacher Training University of Armenia. The
Armenian-Russian educational, scientific and cultural relations
that have seen periods of trials are gradually cementing today. The
Year of Russia in Armenia this year did not escape the university’s
attention either. Prof. Artush Ghukasian, rector of the university,
gave an interview to daily Azg on the prerequisites for development
of Russian philology in Armenia.
Demand for teachers of Russian language and literature in Armenian
schools made the administration of the university open a department of
Russian Philology and Romano-German Languages in 2001-2002. The four
departments of the university teach Russian language and literature
and foreign languages and literature. The department that currently
has 480 students is rapidly growing. It prepares Russian language
specialists not only for Yerevan but also for different schools of
the republic and the Diaspora. Approach to Russian studies sticks
out vividly from among other studies in the university. The rector
says that special attitude to Russian comes from old Armenia-Russian
traditions that the university preserves and develops. “Most of the
Armenian intellectuals were educated and got qualification in Russia.
Those relations need revision, reform and development”, Mr. Ghukasian
said.
Armenia has agreements of international cooperation with such states
as Sweden, Holland, Spain, Italy, Syria but “our relations with Russia
are special”.
Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov’s present of computers and equipment
for language laboratory that will open on 8 October was another
step towards fostering Armenian-Russian relations in the sphere
of education. Moscow mayor and representatives of Moscow’s
Teacher Training University will take part in the opening of the
laboratory. The rector said that they have decided together with
mayor Luzhkov to grant annual scholarship to 10-15 students of the
university. The sides look to signing an agreement between Yerevan
and Moscow universities once the Russian delegation arrives in
Armenia. The agreement will open a project of exchange of students,
lecturers and scientific literature as well as will enable joint
researches recognition of each other’s diplomas, scientific meetings
and cultural gatherings.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA-NATO JOINT SEMINAR ON THE THEME “THE SECURITY IN SOUTH CAUCASUS”
National Assembly of RA, Armenia
Oct 6 2005
On October 6-8 in Yerevan at “Tigran Mets” hall of the
“Armenia-Marriott” hotel with the cooperation of NA and NATO PA the
“Rose Roth” seminar “The Security in Soth Caucasus” will be held.
On October 6 the seminar will be opened by the welcome speech RA NA
President Artur Baghdasaryan, then – Mher Shageldyan, The Chairman of
the NA Standing Committee on Defense, National Security and Internal
Affairs, Vardan Oskanyan, Minister of RA Foreign Affairs, Simon Lunn,
NATO PA General Secretary and Brian Fall, UK Special Representative
on South Caucasus will deliver speeches.
The first working day will be finished with the theme “The Nagorno
Karabakh Conflict and the Role of the World Community.”
On October 7 the themes “Armenia and South Caucasus: International
Viewpoints,” The Reforms of the Defense Sphere in South Caucasus,”
“Armenia: Inner Situation” will be discussed.
On October 8 the themes “Regional Cooperation in South Caucasus”
and “The Role of Russia in South Caucasus” will be discussed and the
seminar will finish its works.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AN OUD OL’ TIME
By Jessica Freiman
Jerusalem Post
Oct 6 2005
Armenian-American oud player and composer Ara Dinkjian, founder
of instrumental quartet Night Ark, will perform at the Jerusalem
International Oud Festival’s closing show this year. Performing along
with Dinkjian at the concert will be Israeli musicians Zohar Parasko
on percussion and Adi Renrat on piano.
The 2005 Jerusalem International Oud Festival, produced and managed by
Confederation House in the Yemin Moshe neighborhood, will be held this
year between November 14th and 26th. The joint performance is based on
Dinkjian’s own compositions as well as traditional Armenian folksongs.
Dinkjian, 45, is an American-born Armenian who grew up listening to
traditional Armenian music alongside American pop and jazz. His big
break came in 1986 when RCA Records offered him a recording contract,
prompting him to found Night Ark, which achieved great success in
the music world and remains a symbol of original instrumental music
combining Mediterranean melodies with jazz, pop, and classical music.
Israelis will recognize Dinkjian’s work from Yoav Izhak’s song “Ze
HaZman Lisloach”; Dinkjian composed the melody.
Dinkjian, considered one of the world’s best oud players, will perform
at the International Oud Festival’s final show on Saturday November
26, 2005 in Jerusalem.

DEVEDJIAN: LA TURQUIE “TRES LOIN DU COMPTE” POUR ENTRER DANS L’UE
Agence France Presse
4 octobre 2005 mardi 7:37 AM GMT
PARIS 4 oct 2005
Le depute UMP Patrick Devedjian, conseiller de Nicolas Sarkozy,
a estime mardi que le processus d’adhesion de la Turquie a l’Union
europeenne etait reversible, ajoutant que la Turquie etait “très loin
du compte” pour entrer dans l’UE.
“Je crois et j’espère” que le processus est reversible, a declare
Patrick Devedjian sur France Info au lendemain de l’ouverture des
negociations d’adhesion de la Turquie.
Le depute des Hauts-de-Seine, qui, d’origine armenienne, a souvent
plaide pour la reconnaissance du genocide de 1915 armeniene, a indique que
“trente-cinq chapitres devaient etre analyses” pour dire si la Turquie
satisfait aux conditions et que les vingt-cinq membres de l’UE devaient
“statuer a l’unanimite”.
“Or, la Turquie est très loin du compte. Ce n’est pas un etat
democratique, c’est encore un pays qui pratique la torture, c’est un
pays qui refuse la liberte d’expression”, a-t-il fait valoir.
–Boundary_(ID_sq9o5M7VLPxyoqTWYm+ICA)–

PRESIDENT OF THE CONGRESS OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES VISITS ARMENIA
Council of Europe

Oct 5 2005
/noticias.info/ Giovanni Di Stasi, President of the Congress of
Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, is paying an
official visit to Armenia from 4 to 6 October. He has met President
of the Republic Robert Kocharyan, Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan,
Speaker of the National Assembly Artur Baghdasaryan, Minister of
the Territorial Administration Hovik Abrahamyan, Minister of Foreign
Affairs Vardan Oskanyan, and Mayor of Yerevan Evand Zakharyan..
During the visit, the Congress President proposed to create a Network
of Local and Regional Authorities from the Caucasian countries. Mr Di
Stasi also confirmed the readiness of the Council of Europe Congress
to assist the Armenian authorities in implementing the amendments
to the Armenian Constitution, in particular concerning the status of
the city of Yerevan.
On 5 October, Mr Di Stasi participated in the opening of the 18th
Annual Seminar of the European Network of Training Institutions for
Local and Regional Authorities (ENTO), organised in co-operation with
the Congress and the Communities Association of Armenia. The aim of
the seminar is to provide a forum for in-depth debate and exchange of
information, experiences, best practices on the theme “Training and
Transborder Cooperation in Europe”. The sub-themes of the seminar are
“Transcaucasian co-operation” and “Training for Emergency Planning”.
The seminar is targeted at directors of training centres, training
project managers, senior executive officers responsible for training
and local public services, decision-makers, local and regional
elected representatives, practitioners and academics involved in the
subject. The seminar format places special emphasis on innovative
working methods, such as the open space method, presentation of
national examples and the best practices and networking.
President Di Stasi, Minister of Territorial Administration Abrahamyan
and the ENTO President Gert Fieguth will give a press conference on
Thursday 6 October at 10.00 a.m. in the building of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.
During the visit, the President was accompanied by Deputy Chief
Executive of the Congress Antonella Cagniolati and Congress Secretariat
member Vyacheslav Tolkovanov.
For further information please contact Natalia Lapauri, Communities
Association of Armenia Tel. +374 91404853 or Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Tel. +374 10544041
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS IN THE
VATICAN
The eleventh Synod of Bishops of the Catholic Church started in the Vatican
on October 2. The conference entitled “Holy Mass the source and climax of
the Church’s life and mission” will go on till October 23.
Around 250 Catholic Bishops and 12 representatives from the Oriental
Orthodox, Orthodox, Anglican and Evangelical Churches all over the world are
participating in the conference.
Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate of Cilicia,
participates in the conference on behalf of the Catholicosate.
The conference started with the Holy Mass held in the St. Peter Cathedral on
October 2. Pope Benedigdos XVI presided over the Holy Mass. The official
opening was held on October 3 in the Boghos VI hall of the Vatican.
Cardinal Francis Arinze, a member of the Synod’s presidency, welcomed the
attendants highlighting the important role of Holy Mass in the life of the
Church and the purpose of the Synod.
Bishop Nicola Eterovitch, the secretary of the conference, explained the
procedures to be followed and spoke about the importance of Holy Mass.
The conference started its sessions and discussions thereafter.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

STEPANAKERT LABELS ICG REPORT ‘PARTIAL AND PRO-AZERI’
By Tatoul Hakobian
AZG Armenian Daily #178
05/10/2005
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Karabakh issue
The Foreign Affairs Ministry of Nagorno Karabakh commented last week on
International Crisis Group’s “Nagorno Karabakh: Viewing the Conflict
On the Ground” report published September 14. The Ministry’s comments
show that Stepanakert is not satisfied with the Group’s report.
Political analyst Davit Babayan, aide of NKR President, told daily Azg
that “the report is made in best interests of Azerbaijan. You have
an impression that the document was prepared by an Azeri ministry”
and “instead of approaching the day of regulation, the report had a
negative influence on the regulation process”. In Babayan’s opinion,
which is harmonious with the comments of Karabakh’s FAM, the report
makes an impression that Nagorno Karabakh is a militarized state
totally dependent on Armenia as well as it pictures Karabakh conflict
as a territorial conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan that came
about as a result of Armenia’s aggression.
“A serious deficiency is that report passes in silence over the
fact that 90 per cent of Armenians became refugees as a result of
ethnic cleansings, pogroms and police’s castigations organized by
the Azerbaijani authorities in 1988-1991. Whereas 85 per cent of
the Azeris were compelled to leave their homes during the military
operations beginning from 1993. Besides, no force was applied to get
them out but they left with the retreating Azeri forces obeying Azeri
authorities’ order”, the statement of the NKR Foreign Ministry reads.
The report seems more pro-Azeri when considering the issue of refugees
and internally displaced persons (IDP). “The number of those Armenian
refugees that the authors claim to belong to the most suffered category
is curtailed by 35.000 (those are the IDPs from Shahumian, Martuni
and Martakert). This number of Armenian refugees is contrasted with
425.000 Azeri IDPs.
Favoritism towards Azerbaijan is obvious in figures too: the Azeri
refugees are mentioned 186 times whereas the Armenian ones only 40. The
Armenian refugees are often mentioned in negative context as illegal
inhabitants of Karabakh-controlled territories”.
“The first sentence of the report’s first chapter informs that ‘NK is
perhaps the most militarized society of the world’. Informing that NK
armed forces count 18.500 soldiers, the authors fail to mention that
Karabakh’s Defence Army is compelled to hold back the Azeri army of
40.000 on the opposite side of the border”, the Foreign Ministry’s
statement says.
Yet, Stepanakert sees the positive sides of the report too. It points
out particularly that Nagorno Karabakh has a point in claiming for its
independence, the Karabakh-controlled territories were not occupied
by Armenia and Azerbaijan’s claims of one and a half million IDPs
and claim of 20 per cent of Azeri territory being under Karabakh’s
control does not correspond with the reality. As negative aspects
of the report Stepanakert points out to the neglected interests
of Armenian refugees and IDPs, something that is a discrimination
from the non-governmental organization, the report contains threat
of resumption of military operations in the conflict zone, the
ICG does not recognize the borders of NKR and proceeds from the
Soviet administrative division, the authors tend to hold Armenia
and Azerbaijan equally responsible for the outbreak of the conflict
(this approach was used by the Soviet authorities in 1988-1991 opening
doors for Azerbaijan’s aggression against NKR).
The ICG will make public its second report, “Voices From the
Negotiation Table”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SPORT
ARKA News Network, Armenia
Oct 4 2005
YEREVAN, October 4. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharyan is for the
development of sport in the country. Awarding prizes to the winners
of the 4th games held among Yerevan’s comprehensive schools, the
President stated that the organization of competitions in Armenia is
the evidence that sport is back at schools. Kocharyan pointed out the
necessity of all necessary measures to create conditions for people
“to feel shame for not being sport-lovers.” “Healthy and well-educated
young people are the best guarantee of Armenia’s development and
security. That is why we will continue the construction and repair of
schools and do out best for our schools to be the best in the region
in the technical and educational aspects,” Kocharyan said. He stressed
that he will do everything in his power for Armenia’s society to be
based on knowledge and healthy mode of life, which will allow it to
build up stable and secure future. The winners of the 4th competition
among Yerevan schools are School #56 in the Arabkir community, School
#91 in Malatia-Sebastia and School #6 in Erebuni. P.T. -0–