Author: Hambardsumian Paul

State acts as guarantor of industrial exports to 40 countries

11.10.2004

MOSCOW, October 11 (Itar-Tass) – The Russian state became in 2004
the guarantor of industrial exports to 40 countries. The value of the
deliveries ranges from 10 to 500 million dollars. The government has
approved the list of the countries, to which industrial exports are
guaranteed by the state, a representative of the government’s press
service told Itar-Tass on Monday.

The state grants the greatest guarantees (500 million dollars)
to the enterprises, which export their products to the People’s
Republic of China. 300-million-dollar guarantees are granted to the
enterprises doing business in Vietnam and India. Other countries,
to which industrial products are exported under the state guarantees,
include Brazil, Hungary, Egypt, Israel, Poland, the Czech Republic etc.

The list sets the “risk categories” for those countries. From the
point of view of government experts, export is the safest (with
a minimal risk) to Israel, China, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and
the Czech Republic. The greatest risk is connected with the exports
to Armenia, Venezuela, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Mongolia,
Pakistan and Turkey.

The state will grant guarantees up to 700 million dollars in 2005
for supporting the exports of Russian industrial products. The sums
are envisaged already in the draft budget for 2005.

IN THIS ISSUE:

*** NGO INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ISSUES

*** LAND AND CULTURE NGOs’ 2004 SUMMER ACTIVITIES

*** ARMENIAN NGO SECTOR ASSESSMENT

*** NEW PUBLICATION: DEMOCRATIZATION OF ARMENIAN SOCIETY

*** INTEGRATION OF DEAF CHILDREN

*** SUPPORTING VULNERABLE GROUPS OF THE COMMUNITY

*** NEW DRAFT LAW ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY DEVELOPED

*** NGO INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ISSUES

On September 29, the Armenian Assembly of America’s NGO Training and
Resource Center hosted its regular Thematic NGO/Media encounter. Similar
events, initiated by the AAA NGOC, are aimed at introducing and discussing
problems of vulnerable groups to the public-at-large, NGO activities
directed at solving those problems, and obstacles encountered. This
particular event, devoted to the involvement of NGOs in community
development issues, was the sixth among a series of Thematic NGO/Media
encounters. The goal was to direct public attention to NGO activities
carried out in communities throughout Armenia. During the discussions,
representatives of the Support to Communities, Armenian Committee of
Helsinki Citizens Assembly, All Armenian Women’s Union and Community Support
Center NGOs made presentations on Health Issues in Communities. Poverty
Reduction, Working Together – Building Community Connections, Women
Participation in Water Resources Management and Pilot Community Projects in
Charentsavan projects, respectively. Community development NGOs and
representatives of media, foundations, international organizations and state
structures attended the roundtable.

Contact: Anahit Lazarian
AAA NGO Center
39 Y. Koghbatsi St.
Tel.: (374-1) 54-40-12, 54-40-13
E-mail: [email protected]

*** LAND AND CULTURE NGOs’ 2004 SUMMER ACTIVITIES

Following its mission of restoring and preserving Armenian historical
monuments, this year, the Land and Culture NGO united more than 80
volunteers from Armenia, Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, France, Georgia,
India, Iran, Lebanon and the USA. Program activities took place in the
village of Shatvan, on the shore of Lake Sevan (Armenia), in Shushi (Nagorno
Karabakh) and the Armenian village of Kessab (Syria.) In July and August,
volunteers renovated the Shatvan community school, which had been left
neglected. The roof and windows were replaced and the foundation was
reinforced. As a result, on September 1, the school welcomed 126 students of
Shatvan. Volunteers renovated the surgical department of Shushi hospital:
they painted the walls, covered the floor with new ceramic tiles and
renovated the doors and windows. In Kessab, volunteers helped restore old
Armenian houses to encourage Armenian families to remain on their ancestral
land.

Contact: Gevorg Yaghjyan
Land and Culture Organization
5 Vardanants St.
Tel.: (374-1) 52-91-71
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

*** ARMENIAN NGO SECTOR ASSESSMENT
On September 7, the World Learning NGO Strengthening Program released the
results of its Armenian NGO Sector Assessment (2004), illustrating changes
since and comparing with 2001 data. The survey included 347 NGOs in the
republic and 61 experts from Yerevan and six regions. Progress is displayed
with reference to the formal organizational development dimension: formerly
1%, the number of advanced NGOs now is 10%; intermediate-level NGOs jumped
from 22% to 49%. Compared with 2001, considerable changes are noted
regarding organizational effectiveness, protection of interests,
co-operation, trust and financial viability dimensions. The report also
contains conclusions and suggestions aimed at eliminating obstacles
hindering further advancement of NGOs. Representatives of NGOs working
throughout Armenia, international organizations operating in the country and
mass media, as well as Members of Parliament, state officials, academia and
business people were invited to the presentation.
Contact: World Learning for International Development NGO Strengthening
Program, Armenia
Tel: (374-1) 54-35-76, 52-08-51, 58-26-20
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

*** NEW PUBLICATION: DEMOCRATIZATION OF ARMENIAN SOCIETY

The Association of Women with University Education NGO has published
Democratization of the Armenian Society: Realities and Tendencies
collection, the presentation of which was held on September 9. Leaders of
the Association, other NGOs and political parties, representatives of
scientific institutions, international organizations and media, ROA National
Assembly deputies, and state authority system officials attended the
presentation. In the collection, the NGO’s Democracy and Peace Center
experts present research carried out in the republic at the end of 2003 and
early 2004. The authors discuss issues of civic and political rights,
legitimacy of basic democratic institutions and trust towards them in
conditions of social transition, dynamics of gender relations, economic
bases of democratic changes, obstacles in the democratization processes of
the Armenian society in post-election period. The publication is intended
for NGOs, political parties, state structures and local self-governing
bodies, as well as for all those interested in the democratization process
of Armenian society.

Contact: Jemma Hasratyan
Association of Women with University Education NGO
Tel.: (374-1) 58-15-83
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

*** INTEGRATION OF DEAF CHILDREN

On September 7, the Public Organization of Hard Hearing Children’s Mothers
Havat convened a roundtable with the participation of interested NGOs, state
structures, international organizations and mass media to present its
Creating An Integration Center For Deaf Children project. In the center,
deaf-and-dumb pedagogues worked on developing the oral speech of 24
pre-school aged children. Rhythm classes, accompanied by music, were
conducted. As a result, five children were able to begin attending secondary
school and two were able to go on to a special school in this new school
year. Twelve hard of hearing children attending secondary school, have
completed computer classes in the center and will have the opportunity to
advance their knowledge in the academic system. Within the framework of the
project, speech therapists from various regions of Armenia underwent
vocational training and will work as deaf-and-dumb pedagogues on sites. As
stated by the Project Coordinator S. Zhamkochyan, “Ensuring relevant
assistance in response to the needs of deaf children is one of the
achievements of the center, that raised their education on a qualitatively
new level.” The project was implemented with funding support received from
the Eurasia Foundation Armenia office.

Contact: Tamara Manukyan
Public Organization of Hard Hearing Children’s Mothers Havat
17 Shirvanzade St.
Tel.: (374-1) 23-19-53; 25-78-26
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
Website:

*** SUPPORTING VULNERABLE GROUPS OF THE COMMUNITY

The Gyumri based Ozone Young Men’s Christian Association NGO’s Supporting
The Community project is currently underway. The project is aimed at raising
the quality of life of families living in Yerevanian Highway district and
Voghji village. Leisure time of lonely aged refugees is filled with various
events. Five days a week they are provided with quality food. Computer and
Armenian language classes are also organized for refugees aged 25-50.
Another group of project beneficiaries are children of vulnerable and
refugee families. Project staff helps them prepare homework, organizes games
and cultural events, and provides foods rich with vitamins. As stated by the
Project Coordinator, “The activity ensures considerable assistance to the
refugee and vulnerable families in Yerevanian Khchughi district and Voghji
village both from social and educational perspectives.” The Voghji Mayority
and the Gyumri Municipality are the NGO’s partners within the framework of
the project. The latter is implemented within the framework of the AAA NGO
Center’s Social Partnership Grants Program to Meet the Needs of the Needy.

Contact: Martin Petrossyan
Ozone Young Men’s Christian Association NGO
Gyumri, 11 Paruir Sevak St.
Tel.: (374-41) 3-29-94
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

*** NEW DRAFT LAW ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY DEVELOPED

On September 30, Armenia’s draft law on Environmental Expertise was
unveiled. This was developed by the Center for Regional
Development/Transparency International Armenia within the framework of the
Developing Legislation on Environmental Impact Assessment project, funded by
government of Great Britain. Representatives of the ROA Ministry of
Environment, other ministries and NGOs participated in the development of
the draft law. Several open discussions among interested parties were held
and their opinions considered in creating the documents.

Contact: Sona Ayvazyan
Center for Regional Development/Transparency International Armenia
Tel.: (374-1) 58-55-78; 52-69-14
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

__________________________________________________________________________

Armenian NGO News in Brief is a publication of the NGO Training and Resource
Center (NGOC) issued in the Armenian, English and Russian languages for
electronic dissemination inside and outside Armenia. Primary funding for the
NGOC, which is a project of the Armenian Assembly of America, is provided by
the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Individual
NGOs are welcome to submit information for publication to the NGOC. The NGO
Center is not responsible for the clarity of information provided by
individual NGOs.

Dear Readers,

The not-for-profit, non-governmental sector of Armenia is rich with diverse
civic initiatives and activities. This electronic publication, though far
from covering all activities of the sector per any given period of time, is
intended to contribute to raising awareness, both inside and outside
Armenia, of the activities of Armenian not-for-profit, non-governmental
organizations.

Your comments and feedback about this electronic publication are greatly
appreciated.

Thank you.
NGOC staff.

Contact Information:

In Armenia:
Armenian Assembly of America
NGO Training and Resource Center
39 Yeznik Koghbatsi St., Yerevan 375010
Tel.: (3-741) 54-40-12; 54-40-13; 53-92-04
Fax: (3-741) 54-40-15
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

In the United States:
Armenian Assembly of America
NGO Training and Resource Center
122 C Street NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001 USA
Tel: (202) 393-3434
Fax: (202) 638-4904
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

Armenian archbishop quizzed over spat with yeshiva student
By Amiram Barkat

Haaretz
Mon., October 11, 2004 Tishrei 26, 5765 Israel Time: 01:20 (GMT+2)

The Armenian archbishop in Israel, Nourhan Manougian, was questioned
under warning by police yesterday after he slapped a yeshiva student
during a procession marking the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in
Jerusalem’s Old City. The archbishop slapped the student after the
latter spat at the cross the Armenians were carrying and at Manougian
himself.

The incident developed into a brawl during which Manougian’s ceremonial
medallion, which has been used by Armenian archbishops since the 17th
century, broke.

The yeshiva student was also detained for questioning.

Police are now considering whether to initiate criminal
proceedings against the Armenian archbishop and to charge him with
assault. Meanwhile, the incident has sparked much anger among the
clergy of the small Armenian community in Jerusalem.

Religious Jews, among them yeshiva students, customarily spit on the
ground as a sign of disgust on seeing the cross. The Armenians, who
live adjacent to the Jewish Quarter of the Old City, suffer from this
phenomenon more than any of the other Christian sects in the Old City.

Manougian says he and his colleagues have already learned to live with
it. “I no longer get worked up by people who turn around and spit
when I pass them by in the street; but to approach in the middle of
a religious procession and to spit on the cross in front of all the
priests of the sect is humiliation that we are not prepared to accept,”
he notes.

A policeman is customarily posted to guard the Armenians’ religious
processions, but doesn’t generally do anything to prevent the
spitting. The Armenians took the matter up with Interior Minister
Avraham Poraz some seven months ago, but nothing has been done about
till now.

“The Israeli government is anti-Christian,” Manougian charges. “It
cries out in the face of any harm done to Jews all over the world,
but is simply not interested at all when we are humiliated on an
almost daily basis.”

Lawmaker Rabbi Michael Melchior (Labor Party) says the phenomenon
should be tackled through educational means. “I would expect prominent
figures among the religious and ultra-Orthodox sectors, such as the
chief rabbis, to denounce this phenomenon,” he says.

Reading Advocate, MA
Oct 8 2004

Armenian fashion graces Mass.

AIWA New England Affiliate is sponsoring an Armenian fashion show on
Oct. 10 at the Heritage Museum in Lexington.

According to Eva Medzorian, chairwoman of AIWA New England
Affiliate, the group’s goal for undertaking the presentation is to
introduce Americans to Armenian culture through the arts which have
played an important role in Armenia over the centuries.

“Their indomitable spirit, intelligence and whit has helped them
survive many conflicts, wars, earthquakes, and genocides endangering
their very existence on earth,” Medzorian said. “I had the
opportunity to become acquainted with the Design Department of the
Yerevan State Academy of Fine Arts last year while I was in Armenia.
I was horrified at their lack of material resources. Their building
needs renovation: the many talented students lack graphic design
computers or even more basic sewing machines to use for their fashion
designs. How wonderful, I thought to myself, if we can supply them
with some of these essentials, while exposing their creativity to an
American audience.”

Medzorian said a fashion show is a wonderful way for people to
see with their own eyes the creative Armenian spirit blossoming in
Armenia today, alive and well. She brought her ideas to AIWA’s New
England affiliate and received immediate and full-hearted support.
The project is in keeping with the goals of AIWA to encourage
entrepreneurship and to promote young talent, she said.

“We are thrilled to be able to present an exciting evening of
bountiful surprises and beautiful contemporary fashions designed and
made by students of the Yerevan State Academy of Fine Arts and their
instructors,” Medzorian said. “The fashions from Armenia will debut
in New England Sunday, Oct. 10, 5 p.m. at National Heritage Museum in
Lexington. This event, the first of its kind to be held in the USA,
has peaked public interest. I strongly encourage you to order your
tickets early in order not to be left out.”

Helping to coordinate the program will be four accomplished
designers from Armenia who will present their unique fashions. Nune
Aghbalyan and Anna Panosyan, instructors at the Academy’s Textile
Department, will dazzle people with their recent creations. Their
resumes include degrees and design coursework in Berlin, Paris and
Barcelona. Kevork Chadoian, 30-year-old, brilliant designer and 2004
graduate from the Academy will present an elegantly designed Armenian
Wedding Suite that will bring sheer joy to the heart. ATEX Fashion
Salon proprietor, Karine Hakobyan will show her beautiful collection
which will include unique fashions embellished with Marash and Aintab
embroideries.

The Fashion and Textile Design Chair was joined to the Design
Department of the Academy in 1999 after overcoming great hardships.
The department aims to give students a sound education, emphasizing
theory and practice a free way of thinking about composition, and
insight on how to find correct functional solutions.

“I was with the graduating class students of the Academy on May
31 when they took their final exams to earn their diploma after five
years of study,” Medzorian said. “I was overwhelmed by their artistic
skills.”

Diligently working with Medzorian on the committee are Makrouhi
Terzian, Seta Sullivan, Olga Proudian, Gina Hablanian, Maro Adourian
and Lianna Sarkisova.

“We look forward to seeing you at this memorable event. Come
share an evening of love and beauty,” Medzorian said.

Agency WPS
What the Papers Say. Part A (Russia)
October 5, 2004, Tuesday

SIMMONS: WE ARE PREPARED TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION IN THE CAUCASUS AND
CENTRAL ASIA WITH RUSSIA[]

SOURCE: Izvestia, October 5, 2004, p. 1

by Andrei Lebedev

NATO’s attention is glued to the Caucasus and Central Asia. Brussels
appointed Robert Simmons its representative in these regions, not
long ago. Simmons is an assistant to NATO general secretary for
cooperation and partnership in security sphere. Will the Alliance try
a more active role on Russia’s southern borders?

Question: Mr. Simmons, why would NATO institute a new position?

Robert Simmons: Our partners may be divided into three groups:
Western Europe (Sweden, Austria, Finland), the Balkan States, and
countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia.

These countries are our partners of old. The focus of relations of
partnership shifted eastward with NATO expansion. General secretary
offered the new position to me soon after the NATO summit in Istanbul
where the decision to establish the post was made.

Question: But Brussels did not institute a similar post for West
European partners…

Robert Simmons: This is not where a great deal of assistance is
needed. These countries have extensive defense programs of their own.
Moreover, they themselves may contribute greatly to the Alliance’s
operations – say, in the Balkans. As for countries of the Caucasus
and Central Asia, we want them to be able to appeal to NATO for
consultations in security matters. Moreover, we are prepared to share
our knowledge and experience in military reforms. We also hope that
given time, these countries will up tactical compatibility of their
armies with NATO armies. It is necessary, for example, for successful
participation in international peacekeeping operations.

The NATO summit in Istanbul agreed that close relations with
countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia would benefit the Alliance
as such, and that a special instrument was needed for that because of
the distance to these countries. So, I was given the task of
explaining to these partners of ours – and particularly their defense
ministries – the potential benefits and rewards of cooperation with
the Alliance.

Question: These countries are participants of NATO’s Partnership for
Peace Program, and you still have to explain something to them?

Robert Simmons: Cooperation between the Alliance and various
countries is at different stages for a number of reasons. Individual
plans that are expected to help our partners with the military
reforms are a relatively new instrument of this cooperation. All
three republics of the Caucasus and Uzbekistan have expressed their
willingness to sign these individual plans so far. I’d say that
Kazakhstan is quite interested too. Other countries do not turn the
idea down either, but they have to be explained benefits of the new
form of cooperation over and over again.

Question: Does the Alliance intend to play the role of mediator in
the conflicts in the regions in question?

Robert Simmons: No, we see our role elsewhere. Let the OSCE handle
conflict settlement. Sure, we have our opinion on the conflicts, and
we will make it known in the dialogue – including that within the
framework of the Russia – NATO Council. All the same, we intend to
concentrate on individual work with our partners.

Question: All the same, NATO does not abandon international functions
either. One of them failed not long ago. I’m talking about the
international exercise that was to be run on the territory of
Azerbaijan…

Robert Simmons: We hope that international exercises will continue.
In fact, the Council of Euroatlantic Partnership has an inviolable
principle – all its participants are entitled to participation in
joint functions. In this particular case, the authorities of
Azerbaijan did not display readiness to have Armenia participate in
the international exercise that had already taken so much by way of
preparations. Well, we made our stand on the matter known to the
authorities of Azerbaijan.

Question: Does it mean that you will no longer plan any new exercise
involving the military of these two countries?

Robert Simmons: Why? I’d say that Azerbaijan was not prepared to have
the Armenian military on its territory. It is not as though it was
not ready for participation in an international function as such. Had
the exercise been planned on the territory of some third countries,
they would not have been any problem. Other exercise are being
planned and will be planned yet.

Question: You mentioned the readiness to discuss your activities in
the region within the framework of the Russia – NATO Council…

Robert Simmons: We are not going to discuss matters of our
“individual” cooperation with our partners. After all, that is a
subject of bilateral relations. At the same time, we are prepared to
discuss the situation in the regions the way we already discussed the
situation in Georgia and South – Izvestia Ossetia.

Question: Is it possible for the Russia – NATO Council to discuss
some specific recommendations or plans of joint actions aimed at
settlement of local conflicts?

Robert Simmons: Had NATO or Russia found it expedient, and had
Georgia which is not a member of the Council agreed… Neither Russia
nor the Alliance have put forth a suggestion like that. Brussels does
not intend to – at least at this point – because this is not
something truly pressing for the time being.

Question: NATO is not the only military-political organization with
its own interests in the Caucasus and Central Asia. Do you plan any
contacts or cooperation with the Organization of the CIS Collective
Security Treaty?

Robert Simmons: I do not – as NATO representative. In this capacity,
I mean. But Kazakhstan, chairman of the Organization of the CIS
Collective Security Treaty, presented the structure to the latest
meeting of the Council of Euro-Atlantic Partnership and the idea of
close interaction was put forth. We have not discussed it thoroughly
yet.

A1 Plus | 18:02:44 | 08-10-2004 | Politics |

VAZGEN MANOUKYAN SPECULATING OVER INDEPENDENCE

Armenian Democratic Union leader Vazgen Manoukyan, speaking Friday at a
seminar held in Armenian Center for National and International Studies,
shared his ideas about Armenia’s 13-year independence with the seminar
participants.

In his opinion, Armenians got independence without special efforts from
their side. He thinks Armenian people didn’t want to be independent for the
past century.

In his words, in 1988, a part of nation, predominantly intellectuals, was
opposed to independence fearing aggression from Turkey. They thought Armenia
could get back its lost territories by remaining a part of the Soviet Union.

Manoukyan said he considered national army creation an achievement of a
13-year independent republic.

The seminar participants agreed that Armenia had accomplished a great deal
in forming national army and winning Karabakh back from Azerbaijan.

Poverty, migration and unemployment were mentioned among negative phenomena.

Armenianow.com
Oct 8, 2004

Too Little Too Late?: Pensions increase, but will it matter?
By Marianna Grigoryan
ArmeniaNow Reporter
As of October 1 pensions have increased in Armenia. By the order of the
Government, the elderly who rely on the monthly stipend for survival will
find it slightly easier to cope. But only slightly.
Pensioners, who have worked 20 or more years, will get an extra 20 drams –
about four cents – for each year of work.
According to Ashot Abrahamyan, head of the social insurance department of
the State Fund for Social Insurance, the average increase is 700-800 drams –
about $1.40-1.60.
This implies that, in the average, a pensioner getting extra 800 drams can
additionally afford half an egg or 200 g of bread a day.
Far from a windfall, the news is nonetheless welcomed for elderly such as
Rima, aged 65, who spends her days from early morning until evening going
about Yerevan selling sweets.
“If the pensions do rise it will be very, very good,” the woman says
happily. “I will calm down a bit, the winter is coming up, cold, hard.”
Rima takes buns and cakes in a box she ties around her neck. She sways, the
box sways, as Rima fights for survival, making about 75 cents to $1 a day.
Rima gets 3,300 drams per month pension, about $6.60
What should I do?” she asks. “I am at a loss: to pay for the electricity or
buy bread with my pension. While the winter is soon to come, and I have no
idea what I’m going to do. There’s nothing we can do. I wish something
changed.”
According to statistics, there are 542,000 pensioners in Armenia, most of
whom live in dire conditions. (The pension age this year in Armenia is 59.5
for women and 63 for men.)
Having worked for decades, many pensioners despite their age have to earn
their living like Rima, selling sunflower seeds, bread, odds and ends to
survive somehow.
Abrahamyan says that, according to the decision, the extra payment is
envisaged only for the pensioners receiving insurance pensions and will have
no impact on the size of general pensions.
“People who have 5 and more years’ working experience receive insurance
pension. However, this law concerns only those pensioners who have 20 or
more years’ working experience,” he says.
To illustrate: The pension of those having 25 years’ working experience has
gone up from 6,500 to 7,000 drams ($13-14) and those having 40 years’
working experience will receive 11,320 drams ($22.50) a month instead of 10,
280 ($20.50).
Abrahamyan says that though the increase may seem negligible, it
significantly affects the budget. As a result, the budget spending is
expected to grow by 300-320 million drams ($600,000-640,000) per month.
“This is already the second pension increase this year. Last time in January
the pensions went up again by 20 drams for each year of the working
experience,” says Abrahamyan.
Pensioner Hakob Petrosian says that the pension increase is ominous.
“The pension increase every time brings about a rise in prices. The prices
of bread, electricity and everything else go up,” he says. “As a result, it
won’t make any difference for the pensioners, the things will only get worse
and worse as nobody cares for us. Whatever happens only we are to look after
ourselves at this age.”
“I know that this change is not essential. What’s the effect of such an
increase?” says Abrahamyan. “Nowadays, 700-800 drams can’t change anything.
But there’s nothing else we could do.”
Abrahamyan says that the increase will be periodical and that the next
supplement is expected in January when the basic pension will increase by
1,000 drams ($2) at once.
“Both in Yerevan and provinces, people get their pension a month later, so,
the pensioners will get their supplements starting from November,” says
Abrahamyan, “and they themselves will see whether the supplements make sense
at all.”

Who is more legitimate?

Editorial
Yerkir/am
October 01, 2004

When speaking about legitimacy in Armenia people usually mean the
specifically legal aspect of the issue. Meanwhile, legitimacy is a
much broader concept which in addition to the legal aspect also has a
dimension of social perception.

For instance, the victory of this or that candidate or party in the
elections can be perfectly legal (no violations are observed during
the elections, there are no complaints, the elections are held
legally).

At the same time the society might not perceive that candidate or
party as legitimate because it does not see in him the necessary
qualities for political activities, ability to make reasonable
judgments and suggestions and does not perceive him as a person with
necessary merits to be involved in politics.

In this case we have illegitimacy in terms of social perception. Many
political forces and leaders become socially illegitimate irrespective
of their political and ideological orientation and positions.

In this respect it would be correct to address not only the issue of
legitimacy of the current authorities (which is a very popular issue
in ourcountry) but also the legitimacy of the opposition.

In other words, we should also think about whether or not the
opposition is legitimate in terms of the social perception of its
activities. Does it have the necessary abilities and potential to
address the problems the state andthe population are facing today?

Can it find reasonable and efficient solutions to those problems? We
believe there is no need to think about this for too long – the answer
is obvious. This is probably the reason why there were more people
standing on the stage than in the square during the opposition’s last
demonstration.

This is the result of the opposition losing its social legitimacy. It
is possible that some opposition leaders are trying to transfer their
political activities from the streets to the parliament, an attempt
that faces strong resistance on the part of those who are to blame for
the opposition’s loss of legitimacy.

All the political forces and leaders should think about legitimacy
from the perspective of social perception. Do they have this kind of
legitimacy? This is the question.

It will not be a great revelation to say that legitimacy in terms of
social perception is more important than merely legal legitimacy. This
explains the situation when we have a political elite as a political
category, but this elite has no legitimacy and will hardly ever gain
it.

The society does not perceive it as political elite, or better say it
does not want to accept the latter as elite since the society has a
different interpretation of the term `elite’. Thus, we should
clarifyone thing – is the opposition that insists on the illegitimacy
of the current political authorities more legitimate than the latter?

Reuters
Sept 29 2004

Search and rescue ‘listings’ planned to save lives
29 Sep 2004

Source: AlertNet
By Nick Cater

German rescuers search with their dogs through the rubble of Bam.
File photo by WOLFGANG RATTAY
LONDON (AlertNet) – When a devastating earthquake hit the Iranian
city of Bam last December, some 1,600 would-be rescuers and relief
staff from 46 countries swarmed to the scene. But most arrived long
after survivors had been pulled from the rubble by relatives,
neighbours or local emergency teams.

Ten months on, disaster experts are suggesting a novel way to improve
the effectiveness of initial international disaster response –
classify search and rescue teams by equipment and skills to help get
the right teams in the right places when disaster strikes.

The idea was proposed at a late-September meeting in Singapore of
senior experts from the inter-governmental International Search and
Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), the first global conference on the
issue of search and rescue (SAR) since the Bam earthquake killed
31,000 people.

While some experts suggest Bam was exceptional, with many Western
countries wanting to be seen to send assistance to politically
sensitive Iran, a review of the disaster by the Pan American Health
Organisation noted that Bam was a reminder that the majority of
international SAR teams are unable to reach the scene fast enough to
make a major difference.

The classification proposal would divide international SAR teams into
three listings based on their level of equipment, skills, experience
and thus suitability for various types and intensity of disaster,
from a single building’s collapse to an earthquake in a modern city
with many trapped alive.

Founded in 1991 in the wake of the Armenian earthquake, INSARAG
operates under the United Nations umbrella to foster information
exchange, higher standards, cooperation and coordination, with its
secretariat provided by the Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

As head of the OCHA Emergency Services Branch’s Field Coordination
Support Section, Arjun Katoch leads the secretariat. He said
classification would help vital decision-making and get work started
faster.

LIGHT, MEDIUM, HEAVY

“We aim to classify teams by their capacity – light, medium or heavy
– so after a disaster, the country affected and any experts on the
ground can assess the situation and say what resources are needed so
only the right teams with the required skills and equipment turn up,”
he told AlertNet.

But with the World Conference on Disaster Reduction planned for
January 2005 in the Japanese city of Kobe and a preparatory session
in Geneva in October, SAR teams also face calls for far greater
priority to be given to preparedness, such as extra resources for
national emergency networks and training for local volunteers in
crisis-prone countries.

There are different tasks to be tackled, said Katoch.

“International and local teams are completely different. At no point
does any international team think that it can be a substitute for
local people, who clearly do most of the work, especially in the
first 24 hours. Because of their equipment and skills, international
teams would always focus on more difficult and specialist tasks, such
as those trapped deep under rubble.

“Training of local teams to enhance capacity is already underway
through regional INSARAG meetings and training exercises. We’ve had
recent training in Bogata and Manila. The next events will be in
Kathmandu and Australia. But not all countries can afford the teams
or the training they would like.”

With topics as diverse as satellite imagery, use of dogs and
confined-space medicine, the Singapore conference agenda emphasized
how SAR operations draw on a range of skills and equipment.

One example is the use of the Internet to create a virtual on-site
operations centre, through which all those involved in a disaster –
including governments, local authorities and rescue teams – can share
information and plan their response together.

The INSARAG chairman for its Africa-Europe region, Kjell Larsson,
head of the Swedish Rescue Services Agency’s International
Department, said it was very important that international teams were
complementary to existing efforts, avoided duplication and helped
develop local skills.

“International teams do have a valuable role because they can come
with the kind of specialist equipment and skills not needed every day
but vital in particular situations,” he said.

“Search and rescue teams are interested in training but donors are
rarely willing to sponsor this until after a disaster. There were
lots of initiatives in Turkey after its series of earthquakes. Now
the country has nine main search and rescue groups, each trained by a
different international team.”

And he warned: “Chaos is possible if groups that are not part of
INSARAG deploy even before being asked, and are not coordinated with
the rest of the operation.”

Larsson described classification as a “useful move, as it could allow
those most needed to get priority at arriving airports, for example.
The classification will help specify what is required from among the
elements available, such as search, rescue, medical, management and
communications.”

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

September 27, 2004

Eastern Prelacy’s Pashalian Fund
Announces Grants for Education

The Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America recently
announced the granting of awards totaling $8,000.00 to various Armenian
Schools and educational programs, from the Pashalian Family Education Fund.
Since the inception of the Fund a total of $73,439 has been distributed to
educational institutions.

The 2004 grants, awarded by the Fund’s Board of Trustees which include
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy, Ms. Gloria
Tarsy, Dr. George Dermksian, and Mr. Michael Derian, were as follows:

St. Illuminator’s Day School $2,500.00
St. Sarkis Suzanne & Hovsep Hagopian Saturday School 1,500.00
St. Gregory of Datev Institute 2,000.00
Siamanto Academy 1,000.00
Armenian Sisters Academy (Radnor, PA) 1,000.00

“The Pashalian Family Fund is a model example of the good that can be
accomplished by foresighted individuals. Through their benevolence the
Pashalian Family has left a lasting impact on Armenian education in the
United States while perpetuating the memory of their family,” said
Archbishop Oshagan.

The Pashalian Fund was established in the early 1990s, through the
foresight and benevolence of devoted parishioners of St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, Mr. Levon Pashalian and his wife Margret. Mr. Pashalian was born
in the historic Armenian village of Palou-Havav. He survived the Genocide,
emigrated to the United States, and like many of his fellow villagers opened
a small grocery store on the east side of Manhattan. With a limited command
of English Levon Pashalian built a successful business. He worked long hours
every day of the week and together with his wife raised a family, a son John
Levon, and a daughter, Siroon. True to his Armenian heritage and the
American dream, he provided both children not only with a college education,
but also post-graduate studies. The family faced a tremendous tragedy when
son John was killed in an accident in 1973.

In spite of the tragedy that befell the family, Mr. Pashalian had the
goodness of heart to provide financial support, in the name of his son and
the Pashalian family, for the Armenian Church, Armenian educational and
relief organizations, and needy Armenian students in the United States and
Canada.

The Pashalian Family Education Fund was established with an initial
contribution of $138,000 with the stipulation that the earned proceeds from
the investments be used to “promote and support Armenian language schools”
and their students in the United States and Canada who were in financial
need. According to the stipulations of the Fund, 50% of the earned income
must be distributed to St. Illuminator’s School, Woodside, New York and St.
Sarkis Saturday School, Douglaston, New York. The remaining 50% can be
distributed to other educational institutions at the discretion of the
Trustees.

This year’s grant recipients are:

St. Illuminator’s Day School

St. Illuminator’s Day School, located in Woodside, New York, provides
elementary bilingual education from Nursery through Grade Six. The students
consistently outperform public school students in New York State
Standardized Tests. “We are grateful to the Pashalian Fund for its
continuing support,” said Dr. Herand Markarian, chairman of the Board of
Trustees. “This grant will help us provide scholarship aid for qualified
students whose families cannot afford a private school education.”

St. Sarkis’ Suzanne and Hovsep Hagopian
Armenian Saturday School

The Suzanne and Hovsep Hagopian Armenian Saturday School, Douglaston,
NY, has grown in attendance and educational excellence in recent years
thanks in part to the support they have received from the Pashalian Fund.
The school is named in honor of its faithful benefactors, the late Suzanne
and Hovsep Hagopian, who believed wholeheartedly in the value of Armenian
education. The support of the Hagopians during their lifetime and after
their death through a generous bequest is another factor in the continuing
challenging and high caliber educational opportunity provided by the school.

St. Gregory of Datev Institute

Now in its 18th year, the St. Gregory of Datev Institute is a weeklong
summer program in a pleasant, nurturing environment where young students
experience worship, learning and fellowship. Promoting healthy minds in
healthy bodies, the Institute provides a faith-based four-year program of
studies for youth ages 13 and older. Many of the teens who complete the
program return for postgraduate studies. The Institute is organized by the
Eastern Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). Natalia
Sadaniantz, a third level Datevatzi from Providence, Rhode Island, noted,
“This is my third year at Datev and each year it has been getting better and
better. I have learned so much and this year I am learning Krapar. I love
learning languages and classical forms of languages.”

Siamanto Academy

The Siamanto Academy is designed for high school students who are
graduates of Armenian schools. The Academy offers accredited, college-level
courses in Armenian studies and history, as well as Christian studies.
Organized by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC), the Academy
serves as a gateway to higher cultural awareness, preparing students for
effective leadership. The Academy meets every Saturday during the school
year in Woodside, New York. The Siamanto Academy is a prime example of ANEC’s
mission of maintaining the Armenian language and culture in America. ANEC is
a co-sponsorship of the Eastern Prelacy and the Armenian Relief Society.

Armenian Sisters Academy

For more than 35 years the Armenian Sisters Academy in Radnor,
Pennsylvania, has been providing exceptional Armenian American education to
students in the Philadelphia area. The Academy is a fully accredited
Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade school that teaches Armenian language,
culture, and history as part of its core curriculum. More than half of the
Academy’s seventh and eighth grade students are invited to participate in
the Johns Hopkins University Academic Talent Search each year. A
prerequisite of the search is that the students selected score 97% or better
on National Standardized Testing. The Armenian Sisters Academy team was the
winner of this year’s Jeopardy Tournament sponsored by the Armenian National
Education Council (ANEC).

Donations to the Pashalian Fund, which is part of the Eastern Prelacy’s
Endowment Fund, can be made at any time. For information about this Fund
contact the Prelacy at 212-689-7810.