Author: Emil Lazarian

NewKerala.com, India
Oct 8 2005
Shekhawat becomes first Indian to receive Armenian university
doctorate
Yeravan (Armenia), Oct.7 : Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was
today honoured with an honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine by the
Yerewan State Medical University at Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.
Shekhawat is the first Indian to receive this Armenian honour. The
degree along with a gold medallion was presented to the Indian Vice
President at a special convocation that coincided with Diamond
Jubilee of the university.
Speaking on the occasion, Shekhawat underlined that todays
governance by the State is basically meant to secure human
development and augment happiness. Improving quality of education and
providing effective healthcare are the two primary means to achieve
these objectives. It is, therefore, important that highest quality
and standards are maintained in our medical education system so that
it keeps pace with the changing requirements and fast technological
developments.
Underlining the need for providing affordable healthcare to the
common people at large, including the poor and the deprived sections
of the society, Shekhawat said that the challenge to build an
affordable public health system is really very formidable and demands
an innovative approach.
In every country one finds the rich and vast traditional wisdom of
medicine which has so well served the poor, Shekhawat said and added
that the key to an affordable and reliable healthcare system lies in
the integrated system of medicine.
He hoped that medical universities would focus on these issues which
vitally impact public healthcare and added that these issues are also
receiving serious consideration in Indian and integrated courses in
medical education are being envisaged.
The Vice President also said that India has made significant progress
since independence which is largely due to its rich reservoir of
highly qualified technical and professional manpower today. The
medical and health sector, therefore, offers new opportunities for
cooperation between India and Armenia, he added.
Earlier, Shekhawat held talks with the Prime Minister of Armenia,
Andranik Margarian. Later a lunch in honour of Shekhawat was hosted
by Robert Kocharian, President of Armenia.
Shekhawat also visited the Holy Echmiadzin Church and had a meeting
with HH Karegin II, Catholicos of All Armedians.

PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy
of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate, Western United States
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
Email: [email protected]
For more information:
Zanku Armenian (818) 243-3557
Mercata Group
Catholicos Aram I Arrives In Los Angeles Beginning Historic U.S. Visit
His Holiness Greeted by Large Crowds at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood

(Los Angeles, CA – October 7, 2005) – “We must live with moral values and
have a purpose-driven life,” declared His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the
Great House of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church, upon his arrival in
Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 5, 2005. Greeted by large crowds who had
gathered at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood for the official welcoming and
“Hrashapar” service, his arrival marked the beginning of a historic visit to
the United States, starting in California, where His Holiness will be
meeting with the community and various public officials throughout the
state. Prior to his arrival at St.Garabed Church, His Holiness met with
California State Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi where the two
discussed several issues including recent insurance settlements for victims
of the Armenian Genocide.
The Catholicos’ motorcade with full dignitary police escorts arrived at St.
Garabed Church in the early evening where the city had closed off the entire
street to accommodate the overflowing crowds. The Prelates of both the
Western Prelacy, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, and the Eastern Prelacy,
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, accompanied the Catholicos. The arrival
ceremony began with the Homenetmen scouts marching band playing the U.S.,
Armenian and Cilicia anthems and additional scouts and students from various
Armenian schools and members of the community and residents of the area
lining the streets. Also covering the arrival were media including the Los
Angeles Times and several local TV stations.
Beginning the procession were Armenian clergy from throughout the Los
Angeles area and California as well as some from the eastern U.S., including
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian of the Western Diocese and a representative of
Cardinal Mahoney of the Catholic Church. At the entrance of the church a
welcoming ceremony was performed with the traditional blessing of bread and
salt, the release of white doves and His Holiness was presented with a
bouquet of flowers. Also on hand were various community organization
representatives and public officials. To accommodate the overflowing
crowds, a large screen was mounted outside the church showing the live video
feed of the procession into the church as well as the services inside.
After the initial services, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian introduced His
Holiness during which he said, “Your presence with us today, Your Holiness,
shows the strong bridge that binds us with the Great House of Cilicia and
the Holy Catholicosate. This is a bond that is based on faithfulness and
strong collaboration.” The Archbishop went on to stress that this historic
visit of His Holiness will help recommit the community to the devoted
service to our faithful people and our homeland.
His Holiness Aram I then thanked God for the opportunity to again be with
his flock and stated that “a shepherd is strengthened by his flock and the
flock is strengthened by its shepherd.” He then blessed all the clergy and
faithful who were present as well as all the community organizations and
people who had worked to make this trip possible. “Today I want to
emphasize key values and principles,” said His Holiness. “My message is
that you must strengthen your belief, deepen and strengthen your
faithfulness and reinforce our unity. We must live with moral values and
have a purpose-driven life.”
His Holiness has a very busy itinerary which includes many different
community events, gatherings and meetings with representatives of church
bodies and community organizations. As part of his broader mission, His
Holiness also will be meeting with dozens of local, state and federal level
public officials and will conduct interviews with the mass media including
TV, radio and newspapers throughout Los Angeles and California. His
Holiness will give a major speech before the World Affairs Council on
October 14 entitled “Christianity and the Middle East” and preside over a
symposium at the University of Southern California on October 15.
As part of his first full day’s events on October 6, His Holiness had
several meetings with members of the clergy, Church committees and community
organizations including the Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s western
region central committee, the regional executives of the Armenian Relief
Society and the Homenetmen. His Holiness also had a luncheon with the
organizing committee for the Los Angeles visit. His main message was “that
whatever we do for God, for the Church, for the nation and the homeland we
must do with belief and devotion so that we are successful.” His Holiness
conducted interviews with the mass media including the Los Angeles Times and
a live appearance on KPCC-FM’s “Talk of the City” show with Kitty Felde. In
the evening he presided over the Homenetmen Glendale “Ararat” chapter’s
celebration of the Armenian alphabet.
In the coming few days he will be meeting with Armenian school students, pay
respects at the Armenian Genocide monument in Montebello and bless the new
Western Prelacy building in La Cresenta on Saturday, October 8. There also
will be a Pontifical Holy High Mass at St. Mary’s Armenian Church in
Glendale as well as a Pontifical banquet in his honor on Sunday, October 9.
Giving the trip special meaning this time is the fact that it will mark the
10th anniversary of His Holiness’ election to Catholicos and also coincide
with the 75th anniversary of the Antelias Seminary, the 1600th anniversary
of the Armenian alphabet and the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

KARABAKH PROBLEM – CONFLICT BETWEEN KARABAKH AND AZERI PEOPLES BUT NOT TERRITORIAL DISPUTE
ARMINFO News Agency
October 6, 2005
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 6. ARMINFO. The Karabakh problem is a c conflict
between the peoples of Karabakh and Azerbaijan but not a territorial
dispute, Head of the OSCE Department of Armenia’s Foreign Ministry
Varouzhan Nersissyan said during today’s NATO Rose Roth seminar
in Yerevan.
In late XX the League of Nations refused to recognize Karabakh as
part of Azerbaijan as this posed a threat to the Karabakh people.
That is exactly why Karabakh rose for liberation war. As a result the
territorial around Karabakh were taken under control as a pledge of
security while other Armenian territories – Getashen, Martunashen,
Shahumyan – still remain occupied by Azerbaijan. Armenia is doing its
best to resolve the conflict and knows that there is no alternative to
peace talks. As to Karabakh it should be a full party to the talks. The
international community should support the Karabakh people and should
find compromise between the principles of territorial integrity and
self-determination. This is the goal of the OSCE MG.
Nerissisyan is concerned that Azerbaijan is openly increasing its
military budget. None of the conflicting parties has the right to make
such statements especially as the only way is to resolve the conflict
by peace. This may result in escalation of militarist moods in the
region. At the same time Nersissyan doubts that big military budget
will help Azerbaijan as its army is utterly corrupt. The international
community should condemn such statements. The Armenian side is for
budgetary monitoring curbing military appetites. says Nersissyan.
It should be noted that despite invitation Turkey is not attending the
seminar while Azerbaijan is represented unofficially – by President
of Independent Research Center Leyla Alieva.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT, OSCE ENVOY DISCUSS KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
Oct 6 2005
Yerevan, 6 October: Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and the
special rapporteur of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on Nagornyy
Karabakh, Goran Lennmarker, discussed the prospects of the Karabakh
peace process today.
Robert Kocharyan and Goran Lennmarker also discussed the Nagornyy
Karabakh report adopted at the summer session of the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly, Mediamax news agency reports.
Goran Lennmarker is visiting Yerevan to take part in the Rose Roth
seminar organized by the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and the Armenian
National Assembly.

BAGHDASARIAN EMPHASIZES NECESSITY OF CONSISTENT INTEGRATION OF RA INTO NATO AND EUROPEAN STRUCTURES
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 6 2005
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The “Rose Roth” third regular seminar
of the NATO Parlaimentary Assembly organized by the NATO Parliamentary
Assembly jointly with the RA National Assembly started its work
in Yerevan on October 6. Issues concerning problems of regional
security, prospects of development of mutual relations among the NATO
and South Caucasian countries are on the agenda of the seminar. The
heads of the National Assembly, members of the Government of Armenia,
representatives of the NATO PA, the OSCE, OSCE PA, the European Union,
Ambassadors of foreign states accredited in Yerevan are among the
event participants. Representatives of Turkey and Azerbaijan also
participate in the seminar.
In the opening speech addressed the seminar participants and guests,
Artur Baghdasarian, the Speaker of the National Assembly mentioned
that democracy is a precondition for securing regional development
and establishing stability. According to him, this is the basis which
can support settlement of conflicts present in the South Caucasus:
“We all should have courage in this region to sit at a negotiations’
table with our neighbours, and in that sense, the NATO PA and its
events are of great role,” Artur Baghdasarian stated. He mentioned
the necessity of deepening democratic reforms, consistent integration
of Armenia into the NATO and European structures.
Vartan Oskanian, the RA Foreign Minister pointed out spheres of
Armenia’s cooperation with NATO. According to him, those are not
only issues of regional stability and security but the anti-terrorism
struggle, control on limitation of armaments, issues of trafficking
as well. The second sphere are reforms in the defence structure,
particularly, strengthening of civic control towards the army. He
emphasized the importance of widening Armenia’s participation in
peace-keeping actions as well. The Minister attached great importance
to deepening of bilateral relations between Armenia and Greece in
the defence sphere and the RA and USA in the security sphere. He
also attached importance to the cooperation with Russia within the
framework of the Collective Security Treaty.
Simon Lunn, the NATO PA Secretary General appreciated the cooperation
of the NATO PA and Armenia: “We move in right direction.” According
to him, the seminar being held in Yerevan is the indicator of NATO
interests towards countries in transitional period.

VICE PRESIDENT SHEKHAWAT MEETS ARMENIAN PRESIDENT
Rediff, India
Oct 6 2005
Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat on Thursday had a meeting with
Armenian President Robert Kocharian soon after arriving in Yerevan
on a two-day visit, which is expected to give a major impetus to
relations between the two countries.
The Vice President flew to Yerevan from Minsk on the third leg of his
three-nation tour that earlier took him to Romania and Belarus. He
was received warmly by Vahan Hovhannisyan, Deputy Chairperson of
the National Assembly of Armenia, and Michael Carvardanyan of the
Armenia-India Parliamentary group.
Soon after his arrival, the Vice President had a meeting with
Kocharian. This is the first ever Indian Vice Presidential visit
to this Commonwealth of Independent States country, which is the
smallest of the nations that came into existence after the break-up
of the Soviet Union in 1991.
During his visit, the Vice President will be addressing the national
assembly of Armenia. On Friday, he will be conferred honorary degree
by Yerevian State Medical University where some 400 Indian students
are studying.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

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