Author: Emil Lazarian

REFERENDUM IN KARABAKH WITHIN ONE YEAR
On Constitution, not the Status
By Tatoul Hakobian
Azg/arm
20 July 05
A constitutional referendum will be held in Nagorno Karabakh within
one year. As it is known, Karabakh, like Great Britain and Israel,
has no constitution but instead constitutional or main laws. Today,
the authorities in Karabakh think that the republic needs to have a
constitution. The Artsakhi Armenians w ill have to vote for or against
the constitution which clearly states that Nagorno Karabakh Republic
is an independent and sovereign state.
The constitutional referendum, perhaps, is the main factor why the
authorities in Karabakh turned down the offer to decide the status
of the region by a referendum. Political analyst Davit Babayan from
Stepanakert told daily Azg that it’s not expedient to hold a referendum
to decide the status of Karabakh. “A constitutional referendum
will take place in Karabakh soon. If any international organization
backs Azerbaijan’s position on referendum then the coming vote for
constitution will reveal the will of Artsakhi people”, he said.
Numerous publications in the press have been often indicating
lately that a referendum in 10-15 years may seal the fate of Nagorno
Karabakh. Official Yerevan seems to be in favor of referendum. Foreign
minister Oskanian, particularly, hinted that a referendum to decide
the status of Karabakh is an acceptable alternative for Yerevan.
Official Baku and the Nagorno Karabakh are not really enthusiastic
over the idea of a referendum. Information leakage from Baku lately
disclosed that Azerbaijan looks to “5+1+1” alternative, i.e. Armenian
forces will hand over 5 starting territories and afterwards Qelbajar
and Lachin.
Davit Babayan thinks that the territorial issue and the status are the
key elements of conflict regulation. “To understand the concessions in
the issues of territory and status, one should understand the essence
of the Karabakh conflict. The essence is neither the territories nor
the status but the issue of existence. Therefore, Nagorno Karabakh
has to have territories and status that will guarantee its security
and will allow it to develop. There are territories that cannot be
disputed. They are Lachin and Qelbajar”, he said.

‘GREECE AND CYPRUS WILL ORGANIZE FLIGHTS TO KARABAKH’
Greeks Threaten Azerbaijan, Azeri Press States
Azg/arm
20 July 05
During Turkish prime minister’s June 29-30 visit to Azerbaijan,
Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev promised to support the “Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus” in order to get the latter out of
international isolation. Practical steps followed president’s
promise. Firstly, an Azeri private airline Importex Travel announced
about its readiness to organize direct flight to the Turkish sector
of Cyprus on July 31. Afterwards, a delegation of Azeri Mili Mejlis
headed for the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” on July 17.
PM Erdogan swiftly responded to this visit saying, “This visit supposes
de facto recognition [of Northern Cyprus]”.
The Azeri lawmakers took part in the so-called “peace and independence
day” celebrations which mark the invasion of Turkish troops on July 20.
Milliyet newspaper informed that on July 31, 60 Azeri businessmen
will land in the Turkish sector of Cyprus on an Azeri plane. This
would be the first foreign plane to land in the “Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus”.
Those troublesome developments made the Greeks take alarm, and they
threatened that in case Azerbaijan launches flights to Northern Cyprus,
“Greece and Cyprus will organize flights to Karabakh”.
By Hakob Chakrian
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 PARTICIPATION OF THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA IN THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF WSCF AND IN THE WOMEN’S PROGRAM
The annual general assembly of the WSCF in the Middle East took place
in Cairo on July 1-3. Representatives from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan,
Sudan and Egypt participated in the conference.
Carla Khijoian, a member of the Executive Committee of WSCF and
the Student Association of the Armenian Church participated in the
conference on behalf of the Catholicosate of Cilicia.
The attendants discussed the activities of WSCF during the past year,
and the status of the organization’s Middle East office. They also
discussed and planned the activities of the coming year.
The assembly also accepted the membership of a newly formed Christian
youth movement in Iraq.
A conference entitled “Women in the East and honor crimes” followed
the assembly on July 4-7. Several lecturers and professionals in
various fields talked about the concept of honor in the Middle East
and its immediate relation to women.
The participants stressed the importance of educating the women of
the East, so they would get to know their rights and defend them.
##
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.

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:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I VISITS THE AZOUNIEH ARMENIAN NATIONAL SANATORIUM
AND THE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL OF DURZIS IN SHOUF
His Holiness Aram I visited the Azounieh Armenian National Sanatorium
in Shouf on July 16 with members of the Cilician Brotherhood. His
Holiness was received by the Board of Trustees of the sanatorium and
its staff.
The visit was an opportunity for His Holiness to get closely acquainted
with the activities of the Sanatorium and to review some plans that
will be implemented in the future for the purpose of reforming the
institution.
The members of the Board of Trustees of the Azounieh Sanatorium and
particularly its chairman Zohrab Torigian gave detailed explanations
to His Holiness on these matters. His Holiness also visited the
patients and the elderly and gave them his blessings, wishing for
their well-being and recovery.
The Board of Trustees of the sanatorium have planned a number of
construction projects both inside and around the sanatorium. The
institute currently hosts around 100 patients.
The chairman of the Board of Trustees of the community hospital
of Shouf’s Durzis, Dr. Abbas Halabi visited the Azounieh National
Sanatorium on the occasion of His Holiness’ visit to the region and
met with the Catholicos and the Board of Trustees of the sanatorium.
His Holiness Aram I then visited the community hospital of the Durzis,
where he was met with the religious and secular governors of the
hospital, the members of its medical committee and staff. His Holiness
Aram I was informed about the humanitarian mission of the hospital,
the services it offers and the modern medical equipment it possesses.
The director of the hospital welcomed His Holiness, a visitor
he regarded as “a champion of Christian-Muslim dialogue, who has
come to us to become a tangible example of inter-confessional and
inter-religious coexistence and cooperation.”
His Holiness commended the work carried out by the hospital under
the supervision of Dr. Halabi. He highlighted the imperative of
transforming inter-confessional coexistence into cooperation with
everyone’s positive participation.
His Holiness considered the visit an opportunity for cooperation with
the hospital and the Azounieh National Sanatorium, “two dedicated
institutions serving the same cause and bound together by good
neighborly relations for many years.”
His Holiness toured around all the departments of the hospital and
the building that shelters the elderly with the Board of Trustees
and the medical committee.
The visit became an opportunity for the two sides to familiarize one
another with the activities of the two institutions and to discuss
possibilities for future cooperation.
##
View pictures here:
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates
of the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the
history and the mission 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.

Venezuela parliament adopts Armenian Genocide resolution
20.07.2005 17:40
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – The Parliament of Venezuela adopted a resolution
on July 14 recognizing the Armenian Genocide, introduced by Parliament
Member Victor Hugo Morales and lawyer Janet Madris.
Archbishop Komitas Ohanian and Grigor Postalian represented Venezuela’s
Armenian community at the Parliament session. The resolution also
calls on the European Union to deny Turkey a European Union membership
unless and until that country recognized the Armenian Genocide.
The Cilicia Catholicosate and Catholicos Aram I have greatly
contributed to the years-long effort that crowned with success on
July 14.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian minister, Iranian envoy for Caspian meet
Mediamax news agency
19 Jul 05
Yerevan, 19 July: Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan today met
the special envoy of the Iranian president for Caspian affairs and the
head of the department of the Iranian Foreign Ministry for the CIS,
Mehdi Safari, who is paying a three-day visit to Armenia.
“At the meeting they exchanged views on a number of bilateral, regional
and international issues,” a source in the press service of the Foreign
Ministry said. Oskanyan and Safari were pleased to say that cooperation
between Armenia and Iran is deepening and developing in all areas.
During the meeting, the Armenian minister also updated him on the
progress in the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Iran stresses need for further cooperation with Armenia
Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
July 19 2005
Moscow, July 19, IRNA — Iran’s Special Representative for the Caspian
Sea Affairs, Mehdi Safari, on Tuesday stressed the importance of
increasing the current trend of bilateral cooperation with Armenia.
Safari, who is also Director General of the Commonwealth of Independent
States (CIS) Department, made the remark during a meeting with Armenian
Minister of Energy Armen Movsisyan.
He assessed as positive the implementation of joint projects in
energy sector.
Movsisyan, for his part, highlighted the importance of bilateral
cooperation with Iran in various energy fields and expressed
satisfaction with growing trend of bilateral cooperation with Iran.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN IT INDUSTRY TO BE PRESENTED AT GITEX 2005 EXPO
PanArmenian News Network
July 19 2005
19.07.2005 06:52
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF) is planning
to present Armenian IT industry at GITEX 2005 EXPO, that will be
held on September 25-29 at Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai, United
Arab Emirates. EIF provided this information to .am edition of
PanARMENIAN.Net. Since its inauguration over 23 years ago, GITEX now
tends to become one of the largest IT showcase in the world serving
as the leading event for over 2, 000 exhibitors from more than 60
countries and over 70, 000 visitors from across the globe. EIF has
been offered a booth. The main goal of the organizers is to present
the Armenian industry, attract new contacts and business partners.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OPPOSITION “REPUBLIC” PARTY TO MAKE ASSESSMENT OF POLITICAL PROCESS
RELATED TO CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS
YEREVAN, JULY 18., ARMINFO. We hope that our colleagues from the
Justice bloc will reconsider their approaches ot the constitutional
reforms otherwise our party will make its assessment of the process,
says the press sectretary of the opposition Republic party Suren
Surenyants.
He says that Republic is strongly against the opposition’s returning
to the parliament for discussing the constitutional reforms. Any
discussions of the document give the authorities a chance to feign
civil accord in the country. The key obstacle to Armenia’s development
is not in the constitution but in the ruling criminal regime. So
reforms are possible only under legal aurthorities.

Do Not Look for Happiness Overseas
ArmenPress
July 15 2005
YEREVAN, JULY 15, ARMENPRESS: More and more Armenians have begun to
think about marrying a foreigner, especially an expatriate, who could
take them out of the country that is still facing heavy economic
problems but they seem to be unaware or ignorant of the negative
demographic impact their decision may have.
No one knows just how many Armenians left their country since 1991
when it broke away from the former Soviet Union, but even the most
conservative estimates put the total at around one million. The exodus
has made Armenia one of the fastest-disappearing nations in the world,
dubbed by some experts as “depopulation” calling into question whether
Armenia is a country with a future. In a country with no significant
natural resources, a collapsed Soviet industrial infrastructure and
an economy just now showing signs of recovery, many Armenians had
little choice but to leave. About 80 percent headed to Russia and
other parts of the former Soviet Union; the rest joined the earlier
Diaspora in the United States or Western Europe.
The wave of departures, which hit a high of about 200,000 a year in the
mid-1990s, has stabilized in recent years, but the cumulative effect
remains. Far more Armenians now live outside their homeland than
in it. The society that stayed has far fewer working-age men, fewer
marriages, fewer births. Women outnumber men 56 percent to 44 percent.
But the trend of mixed marriages is set to increase as the local
society is becoming gradually more open to the rest of the world.
Even under the Soviets many Armenian nationals wanted to marry a
Diaspora Armenian or foreigners from Western countries. An official
from justice ministry’s civilian registry introduced us to an Armenian
woman and a German male who arrived in Yerevan to register their
marriage here. Both appeared to be happy to answer all our questions,
but refused to disclose their names. The woman, who has been living
with her family in Germany for seven years already, said she and
her fiance, let us call him Hans, came to Armenia to register their
marriage here because the procedure is very complicated in Germany. But
when we asked her about Armenians in Germany, she said many of them,
especially men, get involved in various fraudulent deals in an effort
to receive permission for permanent residence or citizenship. When
their tricks are revealed, they create a negative perception of
Armenians by Germans. She said many Armenian men, who are living
in Germany illegally, befriend local women, declare their love for
them – even women twice their age – and often marry them just to get
residence permission or citizenship. She even recalled several cases
when Christian Armenians married German Turks, something difficult
to imagine in other places, explaining that Turks are treated well in
Germany, making the Armenians’ chance of getting residence permission
higher.
“At any rate I cannot understand how a Christian Armenian and a Muslim
Turk can make a union,” she said, adding also that religious belonging
is appreciated stronger and higher by Armenians living outside their
homeland. She said her decision to marry a German was based on true
love. Hans confirmed this saying they have known one another for a
long time before they decided to marry. Susanna Stepanian from the
Armenian justice ministry said foreigners rarely marry Armenians. The
majority of mixed marriages usually involve Armenian citizens and
a Diaspora Armenian. Divorces are rare because Diaspora Armenians’
decisions are weighed and conscious, based on common Armenian national
peculiarities and traditions.
“For Diaspora Armenians it is very important to know where the bride
or fiance comes from and if they track down any bad reputation this
will undoubtedly affect their decision,” she said. She recalled a case
involving a young Armenian man who was born and grew up in the USA. His
family had lived in Armenia before moving to the USA, and they had not
lost touch with their next door neighbor in Armenia, whose daughter
eventually agreed to marry the American boy who visited Armenia
several times. Out of 26,000 marriages registered last year only 26
were mixed marriages between Armenian and foreign citizens. Susanna
Stepanian said she never had met a foreigner marrying an Armenian
citizen with an ulterior motive, as is the case with Armenians abroad,
because Armenian legislation is clear and simple concerning residence
permission or granting citizenship. She said three such couples
registered by the civilian registrar’s office this year decided to live
in Armenia. In order to find out what attracts Armenian men and women
to foreigners and vice versa, we asked Mane Asatrian from one of the
local international dating marriage clubs to share her impressions. She
said foreigners seeking an Armenian spouse usually have some knowledge
about the country and people. They are attracted by the Armenians’
traditional devotion to their families, and apply to such clubs
in the hope that their Armenian wife of husband will cement their
union. The majority of applicants are foreign men wishing to marry
an Armenian woman, whom they have heard are known for their modesty,
devotion to the family and are excellent mothers. They are mainly men
from the USA and Canada. One of them worked in Armenia for some time
and now keeps in touch with an Armenian girl here through email.
Mane Asatrian said the club has this year helped 20 people to establish
contacts. It also has hundreds of Armenian applicants, both men and
women, but the majority apply for reasons other than marriage. “On the
application forms they write simultaneously that they want to have
a nice time and to marry, which does not seem logical for a man or
woman wishing to marry. This means that the majority of applicants
do not appreciate the main goal of the club and try to take every
opportunity to live abroad,” she said. We also spoke with Armen
Ashotian, a member of parliament and chairman of the youth wing of
the governing Republican party. Ashotian welcomed any marriage,
especially a marriage between an Armenian citizen and a Diaspora
Armenian, and especially when they decide to settle down in Armenia.