Author: Hagop Kamalian

Azeri opposition official blames government for Karabakh policy failures
Azadliq, Baku
30 Dec 04

Text of Xayal Sahinoglu report by Azerbaijani newspaper Azadliq on 30
December headlined “Another defeat of Ilham Aliyev’s diplomacy” and
subheaded “The authorities give up the idea of discussing the Karabakh
issue at the UN at the demand of the Minsk Group” and “Fuad
Qahramanli: ‘Under the Aliyevs, Azerbaijan’s foreign policy has been
in such a situation that not only Armenia and its allies, but also the
international community are speaking in the language of pressure to
Azerbaijan'”
Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijani lands will not be discussed at the
UN. The reason is the Azerbaijani authorities’ commitment to the
OSCE. The Russian co-chairman of the OSCE [Minsk Group], Yuriy
Merzlyakov, recently publicized an agreement Azerbaijan and Armenia
reached three months ago. Armenia will allow the co-chairmen to
monitor the occupied Azerbaijani territories if the Karabakh conflict
is not discussed at the UN, Merzlyakov said.
The co-chairman’s statement shows that Azerbaijani diplomacy has not
gained even a minimum advantage, let alone serious success, in the
resolution of the conflict, a member of the presidium of the People’s
Front of Azerbaijan Party [PFAP], Fuad Qahramanli, said. Saying that
the co-chairmen are clearly speaking from Armenia’s position,
Qahramanli noted that as a victim of the aggression, Azerbaijan is in
a more difficult diplomatic position than Armenia.
“It is clearly seen that the co-chairmen are speaking from Armenia’s
position, which is something that challenges the impartiality of the
negotiations within the framework of the OSCE and the resolution of
the problem in accordance with the principles of international law. If
the OSCE Minsk Group is dealing with the resolution of the conflict,
it should be monitoring the occupied territories despite any
problem. The co-chairmen should investigate the accuracy of the
information about Armenians settling in the occupied territories. It
turns out that if Azerbaijan had not given up the idea of discussing
the Karabakh conflict at the UN, the OSCE Minsk Group would have
remained indifferent towards the settlement of Armenians in the
occupied lands. This is a serious problem of Azerbaijani diplomacy and
the reason why it has emerged is the foreign policy which was once
conducted by [the late Azerbaijani President] Heydar Aliyev and is now
being conducted by his son [Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev].”
He said that the good-for-nothing foreign policy Heydar Aliyev and his
son have been conducting for many years has dealt a serious blow to
Azerbaijan’s international standing. Therefore, the international
community challenges Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
“Under the Aliyevs, Azerbaijan’s foreign policy has been in such a
situation that not only Armenia and its allies, but also the
international community are speaking in the language of pressure to
Azerbaijan. Only Islamic countries supported Azerbaijan when the
Karabakh issue was put on the UN agenda. It is a logical result of the
setbacks in our foreign policy that the world community actually
questions Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.”
Saying that it would be illogical to await any outcome in Azerbaijan’s
favour from the negotiations in the present circumstances, Qahramanli
believes that responsibility for this situation lies with the
authorities.
“The government has been promulgating for a long time the idea that
our country will increase its international allies as a result of its
oil policy. It becomes clear today that no progress has been made at
all. On the contrary, the number of Azerbaijan’s international allies
has begun to decrease.”
Qahramanli chided the government for the fact that the occupied lands
are being used as a means of pressure on Azerbaijan.
“The Foreign Ministry has not expressed its attitude to what has
happened so far. It proves once again that as a state entity, the
authorities do not have the will, political power and diplomatic
capabilities to resolve the Karabakh conflict, which is considered to
be the country’s main problem.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Los Angeles Times
Jan 2 2004
Mother Fights Schools on Cable TV
The woman speaks in Armenian about the Glendale district’s
English-learner policy. Officials say she spreads fear and mistrust.
By Erika Hayasaki, Times Staff Writer
The Glendale mother appeared on local cable TV station Channel 26,
much like a veteran news anchorwoman. In Armenian, she laid into the
Glendale Unified School District: Teachers don’t teach. Board members
don’t listen. School officials don’t translate.
“We are here because we care about our children and what is going on
in our schools,” she said, looking distinguished in her sparkly green
earrings and matching scarf. A phone number flashed across the
screen. “We are live. You can call.”

Using cable access time paid for out of her own pocket, Naira
Khachatrian, 44, has become an influential voice among Armenian
parents whose children make up about half the 29,400-student Glendale
district.
A mother with two children enrolled, she believes the district is
shortchanging Armenian students by placing many of them in
English-learner programs or special education courses and failing to
reach out to immigrant parents.
The district dismisses Khachatrian as a gadfly who has spread fear
and mistrust among parents. School officials say she does not explain
the extensive programs it offers to Armenian-immigrant students,
including translation services for parents and special academic
tutoring.
Schools Supt. Michael F. Escalante said that over the last year
Khachatrian has spread “rumors about outlandish information. I don’t
speak Armenian and it’s done all in Armenian.”
Khachatrian has singled out teachers and questioned their
credentials.
She once compared school district officials to those who committed
atrocities during the Armenian genocide, the killing of 1.5 million
people by the Turks between 1915 and 1922. School officials said they
have given up on countering her numerous statements.
One official says Khachatrian has made positive contributions.
School board President Greg Krikorian said the show has bridged a
communication gap with Armenian-immigrant parents who are struggling
to navigate district bureaucracy.
“There are things we do have to improve,” Krikorian said, although
he, too, is frustrated by the comments on her show. “Maybe they’re
not understanding the information we give to them.”
Khachatrian, who immigrated to the United States in 1991, has seized
on the lack of communication between Armenian immigrant parents and
the district.
A former engineer who is married to a contractor, her involvement in
school district politics began when her oldest son was placed in
English-learner classes more than a decade ago. She said she did not
understand what the classes entailed or that she had a choice in her
son’s enrollment.
About one-third of Armenian students in the Glendale district are
enrolled in English-learner classes, a separate track in which math,
science and history are taught while integrating English skills into
the required curriculum. Teachers use more pictures, gestures and
simple English to better communicate lessons
Without such a program, district officials say, students struggle
through regular coursework because they have not mastered English.
Parents must give their permission before children are enrolled in
the voluntary program.
Once enrolled, a student typically stays on the English-learner track
until he or she passes a proficiency test.
Khachatrian says the district is shortchanging some students who she
believes are being placed in the program unnecessarily.
Khachatrian said she can relate to Armenian parents who do not
understand the rules.
“The one way we can change these people is we have to educate the
parents,” she said. “That’s why we came up with that idea” of going
on television.
Every few days or weeks, Khachatrian pays $500 to $800 for an
hour-long slot on the Armenian Media Group of America Inc. cable
channel, which serves more than 27,000 viewers in the Los Angeles
area. Khachatrian co-anchors with another Glendale parent and friend,
Hasmig Aslanian.
During a recent broadcast, more than a dozen parents phoned in asking
about translators, college admissions rules and the federal No Child
Left Behind law – issues that the district does not believe she is
qualified to answer.
She said she has become a self-made local celebrity. “Now when I go
to the store,” Khachatrian said, “everybody is stopping me.” The
show’s popularity also prompts about 50 parents a day to call her at
home with more questions, she said.
“People call Jerry Springer” too, Escalante said. “This is America,
so people have those rights. It requires us to do additional work to
properly inform to those people.”
Krikorian says the district is making progress in its outreach
efforts.
He has organized Armenian community forums for parents and groups to
talk about the schools. The district also aired television programs
on an Armenian station, but Khachatrian would call in live and
criticize district officials, he said.
Though he supports the English-learner program, Krikorian said the
district should evaluate its progress and the length of time students
are enrolled in it.
“What concerns me is she’s getting people [who] belong in this
program out,” Krikorian said.
District officials are “scared of her. They’re scared,” said Vazken
Movsesian, a Glendale priest who runs an after-school program and
supports Khachatrian. He said he noticed many students “hitting their
heads against the wall because they were frustrated, because they
couldn’t move ahead.”
He met Khachatrian at a school board meeting. “For the first time I
saw a woman, Naira, who was really advocating for the students,” he
said. “She had no other motive.”
Some parents said the TV broadcast is their main link to
understanding district policies.
Eskouhi Irzakhanian, the mother of a fifth-grader in Glendale
Unified, called Khachatrian after watching the program earlier this
year.
She believes the district unfairly placed her son in special
education classes and did not explain why. “He’s just lazy,” she
said, “but laziness is not disability.”
She signed consent forms without knowing what they meant. It was
Khachatrian who explained her rights.
“In my country, Armenia, we know what’s going on. We know the laws.
We grew up there,” Irzakhanian said. “But here, we are new. We need
someone to explain.” Without the TV show, she added, “how would we
know?”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

La Nouvelle République du Centre Ouest
11 décembre 2004
Mchonneurs
Mchonneurs de tous les pays
Deux Arméniens, nés en Azerbaidjan et s’exprimant en russe,
comparaissaient, mardi, accompagnés d’un interprète russophone,
devant le tribunal correctionnel pour une banale affaire de
filouterie de carburant. Leurs avocates demandaient l’une et l’autre
l’annulation de la procédure, les deux prévenus n’ayant pas bénéficié
de l’assistance d’un interprète lors de leur garde à vue. Le
procureur de la République, M. Alain Durand, est persuadé que les
deux hommes, qui vivent en France depuis trente mois, feignent de
méconnaître le français. Il leur tend donc un piège diabolique : «
Crachez donc ce chewing-gum », lance-t-il en se frappant les lèvres
du doigt à l’un des deux prévenus qui mchonne effectivement depuis
qu’il est arrivé à la barre. L’homme s’exécute immédiatement. « Ah,
ah, vous voyez, ils comprennent parfaitement le français ! »,
triomphe le magistrat. « C’est que, s’interpose timidement
l’interprète, chewing-gum en russe, ça se dit aussi chewing-gum ! »
Caramba, encore raté !
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERIS IN GEORGIA CAN UNDERTAKE MOST RADICAL MEASURES
PanArmenian News
Dec 7 2004
07.12.2004 18:13
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “Azeris residing in Georgia can undertake most
radical measures – up to announcing an autonomy in the areas of
their compact residence, if the Georgian authorities do not stop
their discrimination policy towards the Azeris,” stated Zumrud
Gurbanov, the Chairman of Heyrat non-governmental organization, which
represents Azeris residing in Georgia. Day.az reported referring to
Trend news agency. Gurbanov is former MP of the Georgian Parliament,
representing E. Shevardnadze’s party. It should be reminded that the
other day a 65-year-old Azeri woman died at hospital from firearm
wounds. Four Azeris were gravely wounded due to an armed incident
next to Kula village. In Gurbanov’s words, “the incident in Kula
village took place before the eyes of the police, which did not
undertake anything.” Azeris compactly live in the South-Eastern part
of Georgia, known as Kvemo Kartli. These are the descendants Borchalu
Turkic-language tribes, which were brought to the region by Abbas
Iranian shah – after he had undertook mass expulsion of Georgians and
Armenians from the region. Azeris, whom the Georgians traditionally
call “Tatar”, today are the second on the size national minority of
Georgia. Most of them do not speak Georgian and are slightly integrated
into the Georgian society. Increase of Islamist sentiments among them
is not ruled out.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
AGBU Hye Geen Organization
2048 Erin Way
Glendale , CA 91206
Contact: Sona Yacoubian
Tel: (818)790-3023
E-mail: [email protected]
The launching of Sona Zeitlian’s newest publication “Contribution of
Armenians to the History of Medieval and Modern Egypt” took place on 1
December 2004 at the Glendale Central Public Library. The event was
sponsored by Tekeyan Cultural Association and AGBU “Hye Geen”.

The presentation of this unique study was made by Parsegh Kartalian, a
well known community leader. To begin with, he stressed that in the
history of the widespread Armenian diasporas, Egypt maintained a
prominent place until the middle of 20th century. In the medieval
period, he dwelt on the Armenian Veziers of 11th and 12th centuries
and their contribution to Egypt’s military, political and cultural
evolution. Summing up the legacy of this period, he mentioned the
establishment of the Armenian see that still functions today and the
contributions of Armenian architects and artisans whose works have
left an indelible mark on the evolution of muslim architecture.
He then focused on Modern Egypt, where Armenian statesmen have
contributed to the country’s politico-economic, legal and educational
evolution. In an atmosphere of religious tolerance and national
cohesion, such prominent figures as Boghos Bey Yusufian, Nubar Pasha
Nubarian, Dikran Pasha D’Abro, Ya’cub Artin Pasha Tcherakian, Boghos
Nubar Pasha Nubarian and many others have laid the foundations of the
state apparatus, public education, public transportation and the legal
framework based on secular principles. The speaker made an in depth
analysis of the contributions of these leading Armenian statesmen who
have also been pillars of their own community.
Then Sona Yacubian, president of AGBU “Hye Geen” introduced the
author, Sona Zeitlian. In her address, the author focused on the
pan-Armenian conception of Egypt’s Armenian community and the key role
it played in cementing diasporan relations and constant exchanges with
the Homeland. In fact, the community used its economic and
organizational clout as well as church unity to serve fellow Armenians
at a time of national crisis. The pan-Armenian conception was at the
heart of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) established in
Egypt in 1906. For almost a century this world wide organization has
adapted to serve the nation’s changing needs.
Sona Zeitlian’s work was highly appreciated by an enthusiastic
audience, mindful of the fact that the diasporan narrative was linked
with the enfolding Armenian history.
Sona Zeitlian’s book is available from HSZ Publications at
[email protected]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenians destroying historical monuments – Azeris report to Council of
Europe
Bilik Dunyasi news agency
3 Dec 04
BAKU
The destruction and seizure of over 100,000 pieces of cultural
heritage of national and international importance on the occupied
Azerbaijani territories, including some 500 historical and more than
100 archaeological monuments, are reflected in the report “On the
destruction and seizure of cultural monuments on the Armenian-occupied
Azerbaijani territories” submitted to the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe [PACE] committee on science, education and
culture by a member of the Azerbaijani delegation, Rafael Huseynov.
The report also says Armenia has fully or partly destroyed 22 museums,
looted over 1,000 schools, 927 libraries and five music school on
Azerbaijani territory, a source at the international relations
department of the Milli Maclis [parliament] has told Bilik
Dunyasi. Azerbaijan has been trying to table this issue at a PACE
session for two years.
The Azerbaijani delegation has submitted two other documents to the
PACE secretariat, revealing more facts of the destruction of
Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage on the occupied territories – “On the
urgent prevention of the destruction of cultural monuments in the
Azerbaijani town of Susa [Shusha]” and “On the desecration of ancient
cemeteries and historical monuments on the occupied Azerbaijani
territories”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Four tiny constellations to west are faint and not too famous
San Diego Union-Tribune
Nov 24 2004
UNION-TRIBUNE
As the year draws to a close, the three bright stars of the famous
Summer Triangle appear high above the western horizon shortly after
dark.
Near and among the stars of this large celestial grouping lie four
small constellations. But don’t think you’ll be able to recognize
these from just their names alone. These are some of the tiniest and
faintest constellations in the heavens.
The easternmost of the four is Equuleus, the Little Horse. It’s an
ancient group whose origins are shrouded in history.
It was mentioned by the first century astronomer Claudius Ptolemy in
his great book “Almagest” but, because Ptolemy borrowed much of his
material from others, it might have actually been created by the
Greek astronomer Hipparchus three centuries earlier. The
second-tiniest constellation in the sky – and one of the faintest –
Equuleus is difficult to see even under the darkest conditions.
Just to its west lies Delphinus, an ancient constellation that
represents the dolphin, and that probably originated in ancient
Greece. When Poseidon, god of the sea, wanted to marry Amphitrite,
she became so disgusted at the thought of living under the sea that
she fled to the distant Atlas Mountains. Poseidon sent several
messengers after her in hopes that she might return to him; only the
dolphin Delphinus succeeded, and was rewarded by Poseidon with a
place in the heavens.
Sagitta, the Arrow, is the third-smallest constellation in the sky
and, interestingly, is one of the few star patterns that actually
looks like its namesake. Sagitta is an ancient constellation, and
many cultures have seen an arrow outlined by its five faint stars.
It has been identified as a stray arrow shot by Sagittarius, the
archer, as one shot by Apollo to kill the Cyclops, or even as one of
Cupid’s arrows. Its name comes from ancient Hebrew, Armenian and
Arabic, and all mean “arrow.”
Finally we find Vulpecula, the Fox, one of seven faint and relatively
obscure Northern Hemisphere constellations created and introduced as
“Vulpecula cum Anser” – Fox with Goose – by the Polish astronomer
Johannes Hevelius in his 1690 atlas titled “Firmamentum Sobieski.”
It was in this constellation that, in 1967, astronomer Jocelyn Bell
discovered the first pulsar – a rapidly rotating neutron star whose
regularly pulsating radio signals led some (erroneously) to believe
it was a message from an intelligent extraterrestrial civilization.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Le Monde, France
07 octobre 2004
La Commission européenne entrouvre la porte à la Turquie

UNION EUROPEENNE
Le collège des commissaires se prononce, mercredi 6 octobre, pour
l’ouverture des négociations d’adhésion avec Ankara. Mais ce
processus est durci et une clause de rupture est introduite. Les
discussions devront se poursuivre une dizaine d’années pour
satisfaire les conditions de l’UE
Arnaud Leparmentier
BRUXELLES de notre bureau européen
C’est par un « oui » assorti denombreusesconditions que la Commission
européenne devait répondre, mercredi 6 octobre, à la demande de la
Turquie d’ouvrir des négociations d’adhésion. Dans sa recommandation
de 9 pages, le collège des commissaires européens se prononce pour
l’ouverture de négociations maisdurcit sensiblement ce processus de
discussion, précisant que « les résultats ne peuvent être garantis à
l’avance ». Une clause de suspension des négociations est introduite
et plusieurs restrictions sont faites concernant la liberté de
circulation des travailleurs turcs et le versement des aides
européennes. La Turquie s’agace des nombreusesréserves exprimésdans
les pays européens. En France, M. Bayrou, opposant à l’adhésion de la
Turquie, demande que le gouvernement engage sa responsabilité.
TEXTE-ARTICLE:
La Commission européenne devait proposer, mercredi 6 octobre, à
l’Union européenne (UE) d’ouvrir des négociations d’adhésion avec la
Turquie. Dans une recommandation de neuf pages, l’institution
présidée par Romano Prodi propose d’encadrer strictement le processus
d’adhésion. Le texte, qui tente de répondre à toutes les questions
posées par une éventuelle entrée de la Turquie dans l’UE, servira de
base de travail aux chefs d’Etat et de gouvernement, qui doivent
décider au plus tard le 17 décembre de l’ouverture des négociations.
Mercredi, M. Prodi cherchait à obtenir l’unanimité au sein de son
collège sur ce texte, espérant grce à d’ultimes amendements rallier
les commissaires les plus réticents.
Critères démocratiques.
La Commission estime que « la Turquie satisfait suffisamment aux
critères politiques et recommande l’ouverture de négociations ».
Cette appréciation est conditionnée à la mise en oeuvre d’une série
de lois déjà votées, en particulier le nouveau code pénal et la loi
sur les associations. Ankara a accompli « des progrès substantiels
dans son processus de réforme politique », mais des problèmes
demeurent dans le respect concret de l’Etat de droit, des minorités
religieuses, des droits syndicaux. La torture et les mauvais
traitements ayant suscité de graves interrogations chez de nombreux
commissaires, la recommandation précise qu’ « en dépit des efforts
importants la mise en oeuvre doit être encore consolidée ». Elle
ajoute que « l’irréversibilité du processus de réforme, en
particulier sa mise en oeuvre, devra être confirmée sur une plus
longue période ». La recommandation insiste sur la nécessité de
débattre avec la société civile. Cette disposition a pour objectif de
forcer les autorités turques à discuter avec les organisations non
gouvernementales (ONG).
Des négociations à l’issue ouverte.
La Turquie n’est pas assurée de devenir membre de l’Union. « Il
s’agit d’un processus ouvert dont les résultats ne peuvent pas être
garantis à l’avance », précise la recommandation, qui ajoute qu ‘«
indépendamment du résultat des négociations ou du processus de
ratification qui pourrait en découler, les relations entre l’Union
européenne et la Turquie doivent garantir que la Turquie reste ancrée
aux structures européennes ». Sans expliciter la piste d’un «
partenariat privilégié », réclamé par l’UMP en France et la droite
allemande, le texte débattu mercredi ouvrait la voie à un scénario
autre que l’adhésion, en cas d’échec des négociations ou des
référendums sur l’adhésion.
La suspension des négociations.
La Commission a prévu un système de « frein à main », selon la
formule d’un rédacteur du projet, si la Turquie ne confirme pas sa
démocratisation. « En cas de violation grave et persistante des
principes de liberté, de démocratie, de respect des droits de l’homme
et des libertés fondamentales, la Commission recommande la suspension
des négociations et le conseil en décide à la majorité », préconise
la recommandation. Le texte précise que les conférences
intergouvernementales exigent l’unanimité, ce qui permet de
réaffirmer le droit de veto de chaque Etat.
Une adhésion prévue vers 2015.
La Commission précise que l’adhésion ne pourra pas avoir lieu avant
que les Européens aient décidé du budget européen à partir de 2014.
Cela équivaut à prévoir une adhésion vers 2015. Les négociations
seraient conduites de manière plus stricte que par le passé. Pour
clore un chapitre de négociations, la Commission ne se contentera pas
de promesses de réformes, mais devra tirer un bilan satisfaisant de
leur mise en oeuvre.
La non-liberté de circulation des travailleurs turcs.
De nombreux pays européens craignent un afflux d’immigrés turcs. La
Commission précise que « des clauses de sauvegarde permanentes
pourraient être envisagées pour la libre circulation des travailleurs
». Cette mesure, qui ne fait pas l’unanimité, vise à rassurer les
populations européennes mais priverait les Turcs d’une des libertés
fondamentales de l’Union.
Préservation des politiques agricole et régionale.
La Commission estime que le coût de l’adhésion sera de 0,17 % du
produit intérieur brut (PIB) de l’Union (environ 25 milliards d’euros
à l’horizon 2020). Le texte ne prévoit pas un relèvement du plafond
du budget de l’Union, actuellement fixé à 1,27 % du PIB. Il précise
que les négociations se feront « sur la base de l’acquis »
communautaire, ce qui signifie que c’est la Turquie qui devra
s’adapter à l’UE et pas l’inverse. Pour éviter que l’essentiel des
subsides des politiques agricole et régionale soit absorbé par la
Turquie, « des dispositions spécifiques pourront être exigées ». La
Turquie pourrait donc avoir un traitement à part en Europe.
Chypre et l’Arménie.
Le texte ne fait pas de la résolution du problème de Chypre, non
reconnue par la Turquie, qui occupe sa partie nord, une condition
préalable à l’ouverture des négociations. Il évoque le problème
indirectement en rappelant que les négociations « se tiennent dans le
cadre d’une conférence intergouvernementale comprenant tous les Etats
membres de l’Union ». Ce libellé, censé rappeler à la Turquie qu’elle
doit cheminer vers une reconnaissance de Chypre, était jugé
insuffisant par certains commissaires.
Le projet de recommandation ne mentionne pas explicitement l’Arménie,
mais insistait sur la nécessité de profiter de la période de
négociation pour que la Turquie améliore ses relations avec ses
voisins.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARF DASHNAKTSUTYUN SAYS MECHANISMS OF COUNTER-BALANCE AND RESTRAIN OF
AUTHORITIES NECESSARY CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS
YEREVAN, October 1 (Noyan Tapan). The ARF Dashnaktsutyun believes that
the mechanisms of counter-balance and restrain of authorities are
important Constitutional reforms, Armen Roustamian, member of the ARF
Dashnaktsutyun Executive Council, Chairman of the Parliamentary
Standing Commission on Foreign Relations, told an October 1 news
conference, adding that the three power branches are not divided
according to this principle in Armenia. Armen Roustamian also
emphasized the necessity of independence of the judicial power. This,
according to the ARF member, may only be achieved through amending the
order of forming the Justice Council. According to Roustamian, a
self-governing common republican control system should be founded. The
ARF Dashnaktsutyun also emphasizes the importance of employment
problems. “A government ought to address the employment problems of
its people and be able to provide them with jobs,” Armen Roustamian
stressed.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

STAFF OF YEREVAN CHOREOGRAPHIC COLLEGE PICKET PRESIDENTIAL RESIDENCE
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 25. ARMINFO. Today the creative staff and parents
of the students of Yerevan Choreographic College again picket the
residence of the Armenian President.
It should be noted that the only ballet school in the country, which
is 80-years-old, is on a strike for already 15 days. The reason of the
strike of teachers and students is known: dissatisfaction with the
order of Minister for Culture and Youth Affairs of Armenia Hovik
Hoveyan on release of the current Director Norayr Meghrabyan from his
post and his replacement by Karen Gevorgyan. The picketers sent a
letter to President Kocharyan asking for restoration of “status quo.”
During the recent reception of the members of the parents committee
and the creative staff of the college, an employee of the Presidential
Control Service passed Robert Kocharyan’s words to them.
He said that the president is informed of all the problems connected
with the college and waits for return of Hovik Hoveyan from Germany to
finally solve the issue. However, several days have passed, but no
final reply has been given to the picketers.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress