Author: Emil Lazarian

Enlarged EU to expand role in south Caucasus ‘neighbourhood’
EUbusiness, UK
May 27 2004
The newly-enlarged European Union is to expand its political, economic
and security co-operation with the south Caucasus region as part of its
new “neighbourhood policy,” an EU envoy to the region said Thursday.
Anthonius Devries, the EU’s special ambassador to Azerbaijan, said an
action plan was being drawn up to “strengthen the activities of the
EU on co-operation and integration,” with the three south Caucasus
states of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
“New forms of co-operation will appear,” the envoy told a press
conference.
“Greater attention will be paid to the energy sector. You can expect
new joint agreements. Co-operation on the fight against terrorism,
on science, education and culture, will be strengthened.”
He added that the EU was ready to take a bigger role in international
efforts to resolve the armed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.
“If the sides approach us with a request to make more active efforts,
we can look at the options,” said Devries. “We do not rule out that
the EU could have a positive influence on the search for peace.”
The envoy said the specifics of the new relations between the EU and
the south Caucasus would be hammered out over the next few months.
After its historic enlargement on May 1 from 15 member states to 25,
the EU inaugurated its “neighbourhood policy” to foster links with
dozens of countries on the eastern and southern fringes of the new
Europe and prevent the appearance of “new dividing lines.”
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, during a visit to Brussels
earlier this month, urged European Commission President Romano Prodi
to take a more active role in the search for a peace settlement over
Nagorno-Karabakh.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AzerTag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
May 28 2004
SPEECH OF AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV
[May 27, 2004, 23:17:20]
Dear ladies and gentlemen!
Dear friends!
I intimately congratulate you on the occasion of the national holiday
of Azerbaijan – Day of Republic. I wish all the Azerbaijani people
peace, tranquility and welfare.
In May 1918, was founded the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. Creation
of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was extremely important and
significant event in our history. For the first time in the Islamic
world the democratic Republic was created, Azerbaijan people found
its independence. Our country became a member of the world community.
It was extremely significant event. Our people very highly estimate
activity of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and contributions of
its founders.
But the Democratic Republic has existed not for long, after about two
years the young Republic has fallen. Only in 1991, after collapse of
Soviet Union, Azerbaijan regained state independence. It was very
difficult years for our country. In comparison with other former
Soviet republics Azerbaijan appeared in heavier conditions.
Aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan, occupation of our lands,
negative processes in the country have led to occurrence in our
country of the extremely difficult position. Besides, as a result of
unsatisfactory activity of the incompetent, unable management, the
country experienced crisis – economic, political and military crisis.
The chaos, anarchy dominated. As a whole, Azerbaijan as the
independent state could be erased from the ground.
In such conditions, the national leader of our people Heydar Aliyev
on demand of the insisting people has come back to power. All
negative tendencies has been put an end, political stability was
established, the social order restored, the illegal armed formations
disarmed, in the country the law and order was established. To carry
out all this, certainly, first of all was necessary the will of
Heydar Aliyev, courage and support of Azerbaijan people. Azerbaijan
people have believed in the leader, and with the support of people in
Azerbaijan, great creative work was launched.
For maintenance of development at each country, first of all, there
should be stability, supremacy of law, discipline. In Azerbaijan, all
these factors have been established, and our country has reached the
way of development. The country has received prompt economic
development. The major factor describing economy – volume of GDP for
last 7 years has increased for 90 percent. The large-scale program of
privatization has been carried out and this goes on.
Our country has made important steps for delivery of the oil
resources to the world markets. 10 years ago in this palace
“Gulistan» the “Contract of the Century” has been signed, and Heydar
Aliyev’s oil strategy started. After the “Contract of the Century”,
to Azerbaijan were put large foreign investments that has allowed
achieving all-around development of our country. Today, Azerbaijan in
comparison with neighboring countries, former Soviet republics is in
the lead on volume of foreign investments per capita.
After these projects, were realized other projects of Azerbaijan
representing great value for our country and entire region. There
started construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline
representing great value for entire all world. For anybody it is not
the secret, that the initiator and the architect of construction of
BTC oil pipeline is the national leader of our people Heydar Aliyev.
Not casually, members of the BTC Company named this pipeline after
Heydar Aliyev.
Azerbaijan managed to overcome international isolation. Once our
country was in the condition of isolation from the world, regional
processes. Azerbaijan managed to establish bilateral relations with
various countries and become valuable member of the international
community. Position of our country have become stronger, Azerbaijan
became a member of the various regional and international
organizations, takes active part in them.
The important steps have been undertaken in the field of army
construction. Until 1993, situation in the army was extremely
difficult. Azerbaijan had no army, there were separate formations
carried out independent activity. Today, the Azerbaijan army meets
highest standards, and it has turned to professional army and is
capable to solve any problem. Steps are undertaken in the field of
settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict.
Ceasefire that has allowed us to develop our country in quiet
conditions has been achieved.
In a word, the work done in Azerbaijan for these 11 years, the policy
pursued for the country find positive acknowledgement. Azerbaijan
people gives its voices for this policy, approves it. This policy
lives and today, it is necessary to carry out this policy in
Azerbaijan long years in the name of the happy future of our
country”.
Then, President of Azerbaijan gave full analysis of socio-political
life in the Country after the Presidential elections, dwelt on the
international raise of Azerbaijan’s policy, on his visits to foreign
countries, cooperation with the international an regional
organizations, including the Council of Europe, European Union, NATO
and others.
President Ilham Aliyev also touched upon the urgent social problems,
in particular, poverty reduction, opening of new working places,
condition of the refugees and IDPs, cultural-educational aspects of
social life in the Republic.
***
Foreign ambassadors accredited in Azerbaijan, heads of religious
communities congratulated President of Azerbaijan on the occasion of
the day of Republic.
Ambassador of Georgia Zurab Gumberidze made congratulatory address to
the Head of Azerbaijan State.
President Ilham Aliyev met public representatives, MPs, men of
intelligentsia – writers, artists as well as sportsmen, and was taken
his photo in memory.
Chairman of Milli Majlis Murtuz Alaskarov, Prime Minister Artur
Rasizade, head of President Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev attended
the official reception.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Germany to lend Armenia 3.5 mln euros for deposit guarantees
Interfax
May 27 2004
Yerevan. (Interfax) – Germany will lend Armenia 3.5 million euros to
bolster its credit guarantee fund, Karapet Gevorkian, a representative
of Germany’s KfW, which will disburse the money, told Interfax.
KfW will release the money after it has approved a feasibility study,
due to be completed at the end of June, Gevorkian said. In addition,
the bank is still waiting for Armenia’s parliament to pass a law on
guaranteeing personal bank deposits, he said.
Armenia started its deposit guarantee fund on July 1, 2003, but this
will not be in a position to start payments until July 1, 2005.
It is thought the guarantee fund will receive the credit, which will
be repayable in 40 years, at 0.75% annually. The credit will enable
banks to lower mandatory deductions to the fund from 0.5% to 0.2%
of the deposits they receive.
Germany has issued 110 million euros in credits and grants to Armenia
to date.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Awareness of 1915 genocide gains
By ERIC STERN, BEE CAPITOL BUREAU
Modesto Bee, CA
May 27 2004
SACRAMENTO — When Adolf Hitler was planning his 1939 invasion of
Poland and the extermination of Jews, he wasn’t worried about the
consequences of his brutality.
“Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?”
he asked.
Nearly a century later, the effort to raise awareness about the
1915 genocide of 1.5 million Armenians reached the state Senate on
Wednesday. California is home to hundreds of thousands of people with
Armenian ancestry.
“I grew up knowing of that experience,” said Sen. Chuck Poochigian,
R-Fresno, whose great-grandparents were murdered in the Turkish-led
genocide.
By a vote of 37-0, the Senate agreed with Poochigian to exempt from
taxes any insurance settlement payments to heirs and beneficiaries
of Armenian genocide victims.
The measure puts descendants of the Ottoman Empire-era atrocities
on par with those from the Holocaust, German labor camps and
Japanese-American internment camps. Those survivors and heirs also
don’t pay taxes on reparations or insurance payments.
Will cost state $500,000 to $700,000
In January, New York Life Insurance Co. reached a $20 million
settlement with heirs and beneficiaries of about 2,400 Armenian
genocide victims who took out policies between 1875 and 1915.
Armenian groups say policy documents were lost and destroyed during
the massacre. This year’s measure follows a 2000 bill by Poochigian
that extended the statute of limitations for lawsuits to be filed
against insurance carriers for unpaid claims.
The state expects a loss of $500,000 to $700,000 in tax revenue because
of the bill. But Poochigian said the bill is bigger than the modest
tax relief it provides.
“It’s a matter of simple justice that they get these payments,”
he said.
The bill heads to the Assembly, where it will receive strong —
and emotional — backing by Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian, R-Stockton,
whose grandparents fled the region in 1915, eventually settling in
California in the 1950s.
Aghazarian said the bill is about recognizing the genocide. “It’s
important to keep the awareness of this high,” he said.
Turkey, a U.S. ally, rejects the genocide claim and maintains that
Armenians were killed in civil unrest during the collapse of the
Ottoman Empire.
Bee Capitol Bureau reporter Eric Stern can be reached at 916-326-5544
or [email protected].
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Spartacus ready for big comeback
Suffolk Evening Star, UK
May 27 2004
May 27, 2004 12:39 — COMEBACK kid Steve Spartacus is ready to return
to the boxing ring – and fully prepared to get back to winning ways.
Ipswich fighter Spartacus, real name Steve Smith, faces Varuzhan
Davtyan in a light-heavyweight fight next Wednesday, four months
after suffering his only professional defeat in 16 fights.
But the 27-year old boxer admits he was unprepared for that ill-fated
bout with Ovill McKenzie which came just a month after he had won
the inaugural English light-heavyweight crown with victory over Scott
Lansdowne at Bethnal Green
He said: “It was all going so well for me – I’d won the English
title and I came back in to the gym after Christmas and was told
there would be no fight for me until April.
“Then, at short notice, the fight came up with McKenzie and I went
for it. I wasn’t fit enough but I believed my own hype and believed
I could beat him. I was a fool to think I could as you need six weeks
preparation before a fight and I didn’t get it.”
Since the McKenzie defeat, Spartacus has spent time sparring overseas
in a bid to get back to the condition he was in last December when
he took the light-heavyweight crown in a third round knockout.
“I’ve been dogged by injuries recently and have been over in Denmark
sparring – the injury is to my left elbow which has been a bit of
a nightmare. But I’m having plenty of physio on it and it’s getting
better.
“I’m still not 100 per cent fit now but I am better prepared than
for the McKenzie fight.”
In Nottingham next Wednesday he faces Armenian Davtyan, a former
Russian middleweight champion with an impressive record of 27 wins
and five defeats in his native country.
Davtyan, 31, relocated to Birmingham in 2002 and has won five and
lost ten fights since then. Spartacus admits it is a fight he really
should win.
“Davtyan is a boxer I know a bit about. His last fight was at the end
of March when he beat Jamie Hearn in Southampton but ten days before
that he fought my gym mate Andrew Lowe.
“Andrew won that fight so I’ve been speaking to him about Davtyan
and he will lend me the video of the fight to watch.
“Davtyan is a hard-working fighter but when he fought Andrew he was
fat and out of shape – he likes to move around the ring which is
something I don’t really like – I would rather just get in there and
tear him up.”
After fighting Davtyan on Wednesday, Spartacus is all set to face
25-year-old Londoner Peter Haymer in a long-awaited grudge match.
Spartacus faced Haymer when the two boxers were amateurs and lost
the fight on a controversial points decision.
“We met in 2000 when I was still an amateur and he beat me 16-15 on
points and we’ve been on a collision course to meet as pros ever since.
“Even now in gyms around London people come up to me and talk about
the Haymer fight and still tell me I should have been given the
points decision.
“That is the big fight I am waiting for but it won’t take place
until September.
“After that I am hoping to bring a fight back to Ipswich. That would
really be something special.”

Political analyst says Russia provokes conflict
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
May 27 2004
Political scholar Vafa Guluzada was quoted as saying on Monday that
Armenia is not interested in occupying Azerbaijan’s territories,
but Russia is. If Russia was not on the scene, Azerbaijan and Armenia
would be able to settle the conflict.
Guluzada said the Armenians living in Upper Garabagh do not support
Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijani land and it will be possible to
resolve the conflict only if the disintegration of the Russian empire
accelerates. Guluzada said Armenians have openly admitted they have
no claims on Azerbaijani land.
He added that Russia is responsible for the rising tensions in
Armenian-Turkish relations and bringing up the issue of the ‘false
massacre’.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fund for Armenian Relief
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Edina N. Bobelian
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
May 20, 2004
____________________
A DEDICATED BENEFACTOR WITH A TRUE ARMENIAN HEART:
JACK TOROSIAN SUPPORTS ARMENIA THROUGH FAR
For more than 30 years, Jack Torosian, a retired post office clerk, has
been sending books in English and Armenian to the National Library of
Armenia and the National Medical Library, both in Yerevan, the capital.
First he boxed his personal collection of books, including texts on
literature, arts, music, history, and the sciences, and then began
soliciting his friends to donate their books to Armenia as well. He has
been selective in the choice of books to send, wanting only the best
resources for the Motherland.
When he decided to work with an organization to make a greater
difference in Armenia, the New Yorker born in Smyrna researched
nonprofits with qualities he valued, such as fiscal responsibility and a
long-term commitment to Armenia’s development. Ultimately, he decided
to work with the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), whose successful track
record is backed by a wide range of programs.
In the last five years, Mr. Torosian entrusted FAR to handle his
numerous book shipments. Pleased with the results, he became a
significant donor to the organization, supporting a variety of projects,
notably benefiting children and encouraging education. When he voiced a
desire to travel to Armenia last year, FAR organized for Mr. Torosian to
join a group, the Friends of Ounjian School, on their October 2003 trip.
It would be Mr. Torosian’s first trip to Armenia since the 1960s.
The Friends of Ounjian School are a group of New Yorkers committed to
the perpetuation of the Ounjian School, a school that was entirely
reconstructed by Dr. John Ounjian of Forest Hills, NY in memory of his
parents, Armenak and Yeghisapet Ounjian, through FAR. Seeing Dr.
Ounjian’s impact in the lives of more than 800 residents of Gyumri, a
city in the earthquake zone, and witnessing various FAR programs
throughout Armenia, Mr. Torosian deepened his personal tie with the
Homeland through FAR.
Upon his return to New York, Mr. Torosian made a large contribution to
the Ounjian School in support of Dr. Ounjian’s work. Impressed with
FAR’s commitment to advance groundbreaking scholarship in Armenia, he
delivered another substantial gift for the Armenian National Science and
Education Fund (ANSEF). Mr. Torosian has donated more than $100,000 in
the past several years to programs helping the Armenian people through
FAR.
Mr. Torosian has been an active participant in the New York Armenian
community for more than 50 years. He continues to be a fixture at all
events to render his support in a meaningful way. “In my years of
association with Mr. Torosian, I have been impressed by his profound
commitment to learning in general and Armenia’s development. He is a
role model benefactor, who is so generous in supporting good causes in
Armenia. He is also the repository of the history of the New York
Armenian community of the 20th century,” said Simon Y. Balian, FAR
Executive Director.
FAR is a nonprofit organization headquartered in New York, with offices
in Yerevan, Gyumri and Stepanakert. Since 1989, FAR has implemented
various relief, development, social, educational, and cultural projects
valued at more than $200 million. It remains the preeminent relief and
development organization operating in Armenia.
For more information or to send donations, please contact the Fund for
Armenian Relief at 630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016; telephone
(212) 889-5150, fax (212) 889-4849;
— 5/20/04
E-mail photo available upon request.
PHOTO CAPTION 1: Jack Torosian is a dedicated supporter of education
and development programs helping the Armenian people through the Fund
for Armenian Relief.
PHOTO CAPTION 2: New York’s Jack Torosian, pictured here at a
restaurant by Lake Sevan, revived his personal connection with Armenia
on an October 2003 trip organized by the Fund for Armenian Relief with
the Friends of Ounjian School. Sitting, from right to left: Jack
Torosian, Seta and Arman Izmirliyan. Standing, from right to left,
Negdar and Hratch Arukian, Sona Tomoyan.
# # #
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Albert Minasyan
By Neil Harvey, Video producer in Nagorno Karabakh
BBC News, UK
May 26 2004
I flew from London to Yerevan in Armenia, where I continued by car
for eight hours to Stepanakert in Azerbaijan. This is the main town
in Nagorno Karabakh.
A militarised zone exists around Stepanakert. No civilians are allowed
to enter, but I eventually received official accreditation.
The government provided me with a character for my film:
Nineteen-year-old Albert Minasyan.
Albert was a fairly typical, cooperative and bright young soldier.
After his obligatory two-year stint in the army, he wants to continue
studying economics.
The ethnic Armenians have been pushing the Azeris out of the region
from the mountainous regions to the plains.
The Armenians are fighting for international recognition of an
independent Nagorno Karabakh and the conflict currently amounts to
an unstable ceasefire.
Routine
The day of 22 March was another all-too-familiar day of trench warfare.
I heard gun shots throughout the day, but there was no sense of
immediate danger
A small platoon of troops – about 16 men – patrolled the front line
in shifts.
They stayed in a bunker about 500m from the front line and took up
different positions during two-hour stints.
After their shift, they left the bunker or trench and went back to
camp, where they rested for a while and then continued to train.
The Karabakhis claim they do not attack, only defend themselves from
the Azerbaijaini militia.
There were snipers lurking near the front line and I heard gun shots
throughout the day, but there was no sense of immediate danger.
Read more about Neil Harvey’s journey One Day of War will be broadcast
in the UK on Thursday, 27 May, 2004 at 2100 BST on BBC Two.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Despite Obstacles, Cal State Northridge Students Realize Dreams, Graduate
AScribe
May 26 2004
NORTHRIDGE, Calif., May 26 (AScribe Newswire) — As more than
8,600 Cal State Northridge students walk across the stage next month
to receive their diplomas, university officials will recognize more
than academic achievement. They will also honor the tenacity and
dedication of people determined not to let anything — from war to
cancer — stop them from achieving their goals.
“Getting a university education is not easy, even in the best
of circumstances,” said CSUN President Jolene Koester. “Many of our
students are the first in their families to go to college. Some have
juggled two jobs and a full course load. Others have dealt with
family obligations — often as single parents — cultural barriers or
physical challenges such as battling cancer. Some of our students
have had to interrupt their studies to serve their country.”
“But regardless of what has happened, these students have been
determined to complete their education. They are truly what Cal State
Northridge is all about — providing an opportunity for individuals,
even under the most adverse circumstances, to achieve their dreams.
We are proud to celebrate all they’ve accomplished.”
Here is a short list of some of these extraordinary graduates:
— Jasmine Altounian, M.A., Mathematics Education
As immigrants, Armenian refugees, Altounian’s parents were
stunned when a social worker showed up one day at their home in
London to tell them that their seven-year-old daughter was supposed
to be in school.
“All I remember is crying and wanting my mother,” said
Altounian, now 41 and living in Sunland. “I did not speak a word of
English and I had never even heard the language. I was
unceremoniously dumped in the back of the class and left to cope. I
think I wet myself from fright and everyone laughed at me. I was
immediately ostracized. School was a very cruel place.”
Altounian said she realized that the only way to get out of
such a miserable place was to do her best and get ahead. She studied
every chance she got and graduated from high school at age 12. When
her parents moved to Southern California in 1983, she immediately
enrolled at Cal State Northridge, and made the university a second
home.
Altounian has earned bachelor’s degrees in biology and
psychology as well as a master’s in experimental psychology, a
teaching credential in biological sciences and a supplemental
credential in mathematics from Northridge.
Two years ago, Altounian, a teacher at Garvey Intermediate
School in Rosemead, decided to get her master’s in mathematics
education. About that same time, doctors discovered she had breast
cancer. Despite having to lose a semester at CSUN because of
chemotherapy, Altounian kept teaching.
“I had my good days and my bad days, but the kids in my
classes kept me going. When I lost my hair, they brought me hats and
scarves, and would visit me when I was in the hospital. If I felt
down, they’d bring me up,” she said. Altounian’s cancer has
metastasized. A year ago, her doctor’s gave her six months to live.
They now say she’s got two years.
Altounian thinks they are wrong. She’s making plans for
getting a doctorate and is fighting a decision by a new principal at
her school to dock her pay, retroactively, for missing after-school
meetings because she had to get to class at CSUN. Regardless, she
plans to keep teaching.
— Calvin Barnes, B.A., Sociology
While most of his classmates at Cal State Northridge spent
last summer at school or work, Barnes, 34, of West Hills, was in
Kuwait. As a member of the U.S. Naval Reserves, he was working as a
mechanic on field service trucks headed into battle in Iraq.
Despite the pressures of war all around him, Barnes wanted to
be sure that he kept his mind sharp. He read books, many sent by CSUN
professors. And when he got a chance, Barnes used his time on a
computer, provided for soldiers to keep in touch with loved ones
while away from home, to register for classes.
“I was already missing the spring semester and I wanted to
make sure that I was registered for the fall semester,” he said.
Barnes said he treasures his education. He admitted he was not
a good student while growing up in Miami, Fla. He had a severe
stutter then, and did not find school easy. When he graduated from
high school, he immediately joined the Marines. He served with the
Marines for six years and was part of Operation Desert Storm in 1991.
Barnes moved to Southern California in 1996, got a job with
Sports Chalet in loss prevention, joined the naval reserves, and
enrolled in classes at Pierce College. While taking a general
sociology class at Pierce, Barnes said a light went off in his head.
“I just found the subject so interesting I knew it’s what I
wanted to do,” he said.
Barnes transferred to CSUN in spring 2002. He was supposed to
graduate last spring, but his time in the Persian Gulf postponed his
commencement date.
“I really missed CSUN while I was over there, and I was
determined not to miss any more classes,” he said. “I got back from
the Gulf on Aug. 25 and went right back to school on Sept. 6. A lot
of people told me to take some time off because I had just gone
through this traumatic experience. But I couldn’t do that. At first
it was hard, but I adjusted and it was worth it.”
Barnes is considering a career in law enforcement, but is also
thinking about getting a master’s degree and teaching.
— Joe Cedillo, B.A., English
After a 10-hour operation, Cedillo, 30, of Santa Clarita,
recalls lying in a hospital bed last fall thinking, “I am just trying
to get a degree.”
Getting a college education has not been easy for Cedillo.
One year after obtaining associate of arts degrees in history
and botany from the College of the Canyons, Cedillo enrolled at CSUN
in 1995. But he soon lost interest in his studies and was placed on
academic probation for two semesters. Ultimately, he was academically
disqualified in 1998.
Cedillo re-enroll at CSUN in 1999 as an English major. “I had
always wanted to be a writer,” Cedillo said, “but I never tried it.”
Over the next couple of years he developed a passion for
theater. He performed in and produced several university productions.
But last fall, Cedillo’s health began to deteriorate; he was
coughing up blood and was misdiagnosed with walking pneumonia. During
a performance, he lost the ability to speak.
As his health continued to decline, Cedillo’s body started
shutting down. “I was literally in the phases of dying,” he said.
He was eventually diagnosed with testicular cancer, which can
be fatal.
Cedillo underwent surgery and chemotherapy from November 2003
to April 2004. He lost 50 pounds and had to relearn how to walk. He
still cannot run. He takes blood thinners and undergoes regular
testing.
“I am living on borrowed time,” he said.
As Cedillo recuperated, he wrote “Three Bulls,” based on his
experiences, which will be performed in June at Tia Chucha’s Cafe
Cultural in Sylmar.
Depending on his health, Cedillo would like to get a master’s
in English at CSUN.
“If I want stuff to happen, I have to do it now. I don’t know
if I have another five years,” he said. “If you’re not busy you’re
dead.”
— Carolyn Copps, M.S., School Counseling
Born with a hearing disability, Copps was mislabeled as
learning disabled while going to school in Stevens Point, Wis. The
diagnosis confounded her parents, who kept insisting that their
little girl was bright.
“My dad told me several times that they had tested me as a
little girl and that I had a high I.Q. But at school, I was
constantly struggling and often answered the wrong questions,” she
said. “It was very hard.”
Things turned around when her parents divorced and she moved
with her mother to Tucson, Ariz., just before her 14th birthday. The
teachers and the school counselors there understood her problem and
helped her to catch up. She had entered high school reading at a
fourth-grade level, and by the time she graduated she was reading at
a college level. She was even encouraged to try out for drama so she
could learn to express herself better and be more assertive.
Copps graduated from the University of Arizona with a
bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2002. She said she chose to get
her master’s at Northridge because of the university’s reputation for
serving deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
The past two years have not been easy. She’s been going to
school full time while working three jobs — counselor at Granada
Hills High and CHIME Charter Elementary schools and tutor for a deaf
student — and battling several illnesses that often sent her to the
emergency room.
“I missed a lot of days of school, but I knew I could make it
up and I didn’t want to give up,” she said. Copps hopes to get a job
as a school counselor.
— Bettymae McKenney, B.A., Religious Studies
It takes a certain toughness of mind for a student of any age
to earn a university degree, but Bettymae McKenney’s 82 years are
testament to a special kind of determination. “You have to be
committed to do this,” said McKenney.
“Some mornings it was hard to get up and keep going,” said the
Van Nuys resident. “Your eyes, your whole body gets tired.”
But McKenney has never been one to back down from a challenge.
She dropped out of college in 1960 to take a secretarial position in
Edwards Air Force Base’s space program. There, she dealt with
sensitive correspondence between rocket scientist Werner Von Braun
and her bosses.
After her retirement, she took her son’s advice to go back to
school. As Valley College’s oldest graduate in 2001, McKenney earned
her liberal studies degree and a congratulatory letter from U.S.
Senator Barbara Boxer.
Student life at Cal State Northridge was challenging but
rewarding. “All the teachers were very polite to me, and respected
me. When I asked, ‘Am I really supposed to be here?’ they said
‘Absolutely.'”
McKenney’s memory, she said, was “not what it was when I had
to memorize everything working on the moon project at Edwards.” Her
heavy CSUN class and study schedule required every ounce of her
concentration, she added. “I worked myself around the clock doing
theses.”
But for McKenney, it was worth it. “The learning process
itself is what I love most,” she said.
— Doris Rosales, B.A., Chicano Studies
Rosales, 33, of San Fernando, died unexpectedly last month of
an erupted ulcer. Rosales is remembered by her family and friends as
a single mother determined to make a difference in the lives of women
in circumstances similar to her own.
Rosales, who was raised by a single mother, worked full-time
as a social worker with victims of domestic violence and part-time at
a YMCA shelter. She also volunteered at Casa Esparzena, where she
helped troubled teen-aged girls get back on track.
“She would do anything to make the kids laugh,” said Norma
Martinez, Rosales’ sister. “She would dress up like a clown if it
would help them have a better life.”
Despite financial hardship, balancing two jobs and
volunteering, Rosales attended Cal State Northridge full time to set
an example and to provide a better life for her 8-year-old son
Emmanuel.
“She had it hard,” said Celina Sanchez, Rosales’ friend and
co-worker, “but she managed to go to school, rain or shine. It was a
matter of getting her education.”
Rosales’ wanted to open a shelter for victims of domestic
violence.
“For my sister to almost make it to graduation is a great
achievement,” Martinez said.
— Cindy Trigg, B.A., Liberal Studies
Trigg, 48, of Simi Valley, credits her success to her
grandmother and other relatives who raised her. Her stepmother was
abusive and her own mother’s substance abuse led to large absences
from Trigg’s life.
“As a child I would daydream about being an adult and making a
difference in people’s lives,” she said.
After a failed marriage, Trigg, then a single mother of three,
had to work three jobs at times to support her children and to pay
for their education.
“I wanted the best for them,” Trigg said. “I wouldn’t let my
kids end up in the street.”
One of those jobs was at Cal State Northridge, where she has
worked for 29 years, the past 13 years she has worked in the
Department of Marketing as an administrative support coordinator.
Trigg initially enrolled as a student at CSUN in 1993 to set
an example for her children. Her 19-year-old daughter is now a
freshman at CSUN while her two older sons are in the military.
After more than 11 years of steadily attending school
part-time while working full time, Trigg will be graduating magna cum
laude. She hopes to teach third and fourth grade at a private school.
“I wasn’t going to let the people who hurt me ruin my life,”
she said. “I ultimately won.”
CONTACT: Carmen Ramos Chandler, CSUN Public Relations,
818-677-2130, [email protected]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri defence chief, US envoy discuss military cooperation
Bilik Dunyasi news agency
26 May 04
Baku, 26 May: Azerbaijani Defence Minister Safar Abiyev received
yesterday [25 May] US ambassador to Azerbaijan Reno Harnish. The
minister expressed deep satisfaction regarding close cooperation
with the US government. A few days ago, Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev presented the NATO secretary-general with a plan of individual
cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO in Brussels.
“We are seriously preparing for the Cooperative Best Effort-2004
exercises to be held within the framework of NATO’s Partnership for
Peace Programme in Baku this autumn. Azerbaijan’s integration into
NATO bodies is continuing successfully.
According to Harnish, a new stage of cooperation has started between
Azerbaijan and NATO.
“The image of your country is improving on an international level day
by day. Azerbaijan’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, Afghanistan and
Iraq enhance the country’s status in the world. These activities will
yield positive results in the Karabakh conflict,” the ambassador said.
Then the sides exchanged views over military cooperation between
the two countries and the fight against the spread of weapons of
mass destruction.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress